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DOTTED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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REMINISCENCES 



CHRISTIAN LIFE 



— 



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H. J. BAILEY 

WINTHROP, MAINE 

" The memory of the just is blessed" 






PORTLAND. MB.: 

HOYT, FOGG & DONHAM 
L93 Middle Street 



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COPYRIGHTED, 1884. 



TO 

Posts Ittloht §axltg 

THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR, WITH A 

SINCERE DESIRE THAT THE PRAYER ONCE OFFERED FOR HIM 

BY S. B. SATTERTHWAITE, OF ENGLAND, MAY BE 

REALIZINGLY ANSWERED, THAT HE MAY BE 

"iSlje footing son al §h fotfrtfjg sire/' 

LOVINGLY, 

H. J. BAILEY. 



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CONTENTS, 



PAGE, 

Preface 7 



CHAPTER I. 

Birth — Childhood — Death of his mother — Schooldays 

— Essays 15 



CHAPTER II. 

Enters business — Marriage — Religion — Fruits of the 

Spirit — Essay on Works -37 



CHAPTER III. 

Travels in Ohio, Indiana and Maryland — Letters — New 

home — Death of his brothers 71 



CHAPTER IV. 

Business cares — Silver wedding — Various interests — 
Anxieties — " Shall we know each other there ? " — 
Sickness of his wife — Mysteries of life — Thoughts 
on Humility — Death of his wife — Diary notes . 103 



4 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 

Letters of condolence — Bible School Superintendent — 
Address to Bible School — Appointed to the station 
of Elder — Attends Yearly Meeting — Letters and 
Diary notes — Death of his nephew, J. J. Page . . 129 

CHAPTER VI. 

What is Quakerism ? — Extracts from N. E. Discipline — 
Death of his Father-in-law — "Reminiscences" — 
Sickness — One hundred and thirty-ninth Psalm — 
Letters — N. E. Yearly Meeting in 1868 — Notes from 
his diary — Second Psalm 159 

CHAPTER VII. 

Essays on sundry Psalms — First Psalm — Thirty-second 

Psalm — Eighty-fourth Psalm — Fifty-first Psalm . 189 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Introduction of the Gospel — Extracts from his diary — 

Letters 205 

CHAPTER IX. 

Second Marriage — Journeys — Levites — Bible class — 

Illness — Burning of factory 223 

CHAPTER X. 

New and renewed business pursuits — Mount Washing- 
ton — Appointments by the Church — Tent-Meet- 
ing at Baileyville — Visits — Sickness in his family — 
Death of his father — Letters to his wife . . . 243 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Journeys — Niagara Falls — Interest in Bible Schools — 
Conference — Business changes — Centennial — Trav- 
els South — Sickness in New Jersey — Letters to his 
son — New Year's essay — Serious sickness — Letter 
to Bible School, and reply 271 

CHAPTER XII. 

Short journeys — Last sickness — Death — Funeral — 

Obituaries — Letters of sympathy to his family, etc. . 315 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Apples of Gold, or Gems of Thought — Poem . . 385 



PREFACE. 



By preparing this Memoir, the writer does not wish 
to be understood as at all believing that the dear one, 
the Reminiscences of whose earthly career are here 
recorded, was an exception among those whose life 
and character have adorned the doctrine which they 
professed. Doubtless such examples are not rare, but 
as Moses Bailey left a large circle of relatives and 
friends, to many of whom he was very dear, we have 
thought it may be a comfort to them to have his biog- 
raphy. And as also he left some thoughts among his 
own writings, which we deemed too valuable to be lost, 
we have concluded, for the sake of his posterity, that 
we would collect and compile them in shape to be pre- 
served in printed book form, strictly for private and 
free distribution among those who would desire and 
appreciate them for their author's sake, and who might 
derive any comfort from them. 

Since coming to this conclusion, we have received 
much encouragement from those who knew our inten- 
tions. One, an honored doctor of divinity, and ex- 
president of one of our best seminaries, writes us, " I 
am very glad you are to publish in book form a biog- 



PREFACE. 

raphy of one so beloved, and such a model of virtue 
as your husband. In our libraries there are thousands 
of biographies of professional good men, ministers, 
missionaries, etc., but there are very few showing how 
business men can, as business men, honor God and 
bless their fellow-men. The life of Moses Bailey, 
though written for the hearts of your numerous friends, 
will do the world good." 

One who was intimately acquainted with Moses 
Bailey, and had been connected with him in business, 
several years, when we asked liberty to use one of 
his letters in this work, replied, " You have my per- 
mission to use anything which I have written about 
Moses Bailey. My feeling is, that nothing I have ever 
said, or could say, would add any sufficient tribute to 
his memory, which is a sacred thing to my life." 

In selecting extracts of letters from the private cor- 
respondence of our late dear husband, we have admit- 
ted some to a place in this volume which we would 
not have selected if the book had been intended for 
an indifferent public to read. 

As none of these books are to be sold, we shall hope 
that our mistakes or blunders will receive the utmost 
chanty and most lenient criticism, and that the expres- 
sion of our own sentiments written here for a purpose 
which we believe to be unselfish, will be excused. 

Being frequently asked the question by those desir- 
ing information, What do Friends believe, and what 
are their practices in religious service, business meet- 
ings, etc. ? we have endeavored to answer these ques- 



PREFACE. y 

tions in this book; hence some letters, diary notes, 
comments, etc., have been given a place here, which 
otherwise would have been excluded. 

Some of the letters recorded in Chapter XII. may 
to some persons seem to be more than necessarily eu- 
logistic, but believing that none who knew the subject 
of this memorial well will doubt each writer's sincer- 
ity, and also believing that the reminiscences of every 
true Christian life honors Him who saves to the utter- 
most, and having the willing consent of the authors to 
insert them in the work, we do so, more particularly 
for the comfort of those for whom the volume was es- 
pecially written. 

We once heard the remark, that Biographies are 
always exaggerations ; hence we have carefully en- 
deavored to avoid amplification, and at the same time 
have endeavored to do justice to our subject, and 
thereby honor the Great Author of all good. 

One letter, not recorded here, contains this sen- 
tence : " I believe I can live a better life for having 
known Mr. Bailey, and seen his example." If any 
one, by becoming acquainted with him through reading 
his Biography, should be encouraged to live a useful 
life, or induced to love and serve his God and trust 
his Saviour, we shall feel amply remunerated for all 
the time and expense of preparing this volume ; and 
if we can comfort any heart, accomplish any good, or 
glorify God by it, our happiness will be increase J. 
May God add His blessing ! 

We have endeavored, except when it was inexpedi- 



10 PREFACE. 

ent, to keep self in the background, and to place most 
prominently before our readers, him whose memory we 
wish to perpetuate, whose life we wish to honor, and 
whose God we wish to glorify ; but our own life was so 
intimately associated with his, that it was sometimes 
impossible to hide self, and at the same time accom- 
plish the object desired. Let God alone be exalted, 
and evermore be praised, for His mercies and all His 
loving kindness. We can say with the Psalmist, 
M Many, O Lord, our God, are Thy wonderful works 
which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to 
usward : They cannot be reckoned up in order unto 
Thee : If I would declare, and speak of them, they 
are more than can be numbered.'' 

None of us who have sainted and dearest loved 
ones in heaven, need to have printed reminders of 
their worth, for their memory grows dearer to us as 
the rapid flight of time seems to make the veil more 
and more thin that intervenes between us and them, 
but there is satisfaction at least in knowing that they 
are not forgotten by all but us. 

" It is not when the parting breath 
We watch with anxious heart, 
Nor in the solemn hour of death, 
When those we love depart, 

" Nor yet when placed upon the bier, 
We follow slow the corse, 
And leave it in its dwelling low, 
That most we feel our loss. 



PREFACE. 11 

"When past the last, the solemn rite, 
When dust to dust hath gone, 
And in its wonted channelled course, 
The stream of life rolls on, 

" Ah, who can tell how sad the space 
Once filled by those most dear, 
When well-known scenes which they have loved, 
And all but they are here. 

" This deep, this heartfelt loneliness, 
This quietness of grief, 
Falls heavier on the flowers of joy 
Than tempests strong but brief. 

" Though whirlwinds tear the blossoms fair, 
Yet still the stem may thrive, 
While a cold season's withering blast 
Scarce leaves the root alive. 

" Then ask not hours of quiet grief, 
And sorrowing thought to shun, 
Until we feel that we can say 
In truth, Thy will be done. 

" He may have seen the gathering cloud, 
And housed them from the storm." 



I-! PREFACE. 

To each one who reads this book, we would say in 
the language once written by him who is the subject of 
the work, to a young lady who asked him to write in 
her album, " Let the light of Him who declared Him- 
self to be the Light of the world, through thee so 
shine, that all who come within the sphere of thy in- 
fluence may be led to glorify our Father who is in 
heaven." 

If any who are unknown to the author should per- 
chance find some part of the book especially comfort- 
ing or edifying to themselves, and desire a copy of it, 
they will, we hope, feel free to ask us for one. We 
shall be glad to give it to any who will read and appre- 
ciate it. 

Very respectfully, 

H. J. BAILEY. 

Wixthrop, Maine, 

Fifth month ist, 1884. 



REMINISCENCES 



CHRISTIAN LIFE. 



CHAPTER I. 
CHILDHOOD — SCHOOLDAYS ESSAYS. 

There is a beautiful lake in Maine bear- 
ing the Indian name of Cobbosseecontee. 
Its length is ten miles, and its width in 
some places three miles. The water is very 
clear and generally placid, and meanders in 
a beautifully picturesque manner along its 
sloping banks and around the numerous 
islands with which it is dotted. 

On the side of a hill overlooking this 
lovely lake from its western bank is a beau- 
tiful little village called Baileyville. It is 
situated in the town of Winthrop, in the 
State of Maine. In this charming locality 
the subject of this biography was born. 
Twelfth month, 18th, 1817. 

Moses Bailey was the son of Ezekiel and 
Hannah R. Bailey. His ancestors were of 
English origin, and lived several years in 
Hanover, Massachusetts. His grandfather. 



16 REMINISCENCES OF 

Jacob Bailey, came to Maine in about the 
year 1 786, and located in the town of Leeds. 
His father married Hannah Robbins of 
Winthrop, and settled at Baileyville, where 
he lived the remainder of his life, more than 
fifty years, and died without sickness or ap- 
parent suffering, at the age of eighty. He 
raised seven noble sons; the second, the 
reminiscences of whose life we are record- 
ing, settled and lived all the time of his 
manhood within half a mile of the old home- 
stead, the place of his birth and childhood. 

The author has had no opportunity of 
learning much about his earliest years, but a 
very dear aunt of his, now living, speaking 
of him as a boy, says: 

In his childhood Moses was remarkable for his 
gentle, quiet disposition, and great regard for the 
feelings of others ; obedient to his parents, studious 
with his books, willing and active in assisting his 
father in his labors. While enjoying a joke with 
as hearty zest as possible, he was free from any 
disposition to cause any one pain, or to have sport 
at the expense of another's feelings. He was 
kind and friendly to all, but not particularly inti- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 17 

mate with any. He was very strong in his fam- 
ily attachments. 

That he had early religious impressions, I have 
no doubt. His uniform attendance upon public 
worship, and evidences of tenderness of feeling, 
with his love of the company of older and relig- 
ious persons, gave evidence that his mind was 
early turned toward eternal things, and that loving 
Saviour with whom, no doubt, he now is. 

His observance of truth in his childhood was 
remarkable; and deception in any form was not 
practiced by him. 

His aunt further adds: 

I would not be understood as meaning that all 
these good qualities were entirely natural to him, 
but he overcame the evil and cultivated the good. 

At the early age of ten years he was be- 
reaved, by death, of the tender care of his 
dear mother, who died of pulmonary con- 
sumption, after a lingering illness. Her 
health was poor for several years, and conse- 
quently much of the care of her four sons 
devolved upon others. M. B., in speaking 
of her, said he could not remember when 
she was not in feeble health, and unable to 



18 REMINISCENCES OF 

go from home. He could recall frequent 
\ [sits to his mother's room to see her, and 
could remember hearing her often express 
earnest solicitude for the health, comfort 
and happiness of her children. 

After her death, which occurred Seventh 
month, 28th, 1828, their maternal grand- 
mother, whom we have often heard spoken 
of as a very lovely, wise and amiable woman, 
assumed almost the entire care of her moth- 
erless grandchildren, which labor of love she 
continued more or less, with unabated inter- 
est, until the time of her death, in the year 

1847. 

We have often heard M. B. speak of his 
grandmother with great tenderness and af- 
fection and in terms of the highest praise, 
and have often seen his eyes fill with tears 
of deepest feeling as he referred to kindly 
memories of her, and expressed his undying 
gratitude for such a loving foster-mother's 
care. We doubt not that " she being dead 
yet speaketh " with power, through her in- 
fluence over those so early intrusted to her 
care. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 19 

In the year 1830 M. Bailey's father mar- 
ried Mary Robbins, the sister of his former 
wife. She proved to be a very faithful and 
kind mother to his children, and they in turn 
always cherished great respect and love for 
her. She survived her husband little more 
than a year, and died peacefully at a good 
old age. She was the mother of three sons, 
one of whom, Albert, the eldest, deceased 
Tenth month, 6th, 1857, in the twenty-fourth 
year of his age, leaving a young wife and in- 
fant daughter. The other two sons and her 
three surviving stepsons followed the re- 
mains of their beloved mother to the grave, 
and were all alike true mourners. 

A short time before this dear mother 
died, she expressed to the author an earnest 
desire that not one of her children would 
fail to so live and believe that they might 
surely find a home in heaven when done 
with earth and earthly things. This seemed 
to be the greatest desire of her heart for 
them as she lay breathing her life away, and 
the deep solicitude she expressed will never 
be forgotten by us. 



20 REMINISCENCES OF 

At the age of sixteen, Moses Bailey en- 
tered Friends Boarding School at Provi- 
dence, Rhode Island, and remained there 
during a part of three years, viz., 1834, 1835 
and 1836. Whenever we have heard him 
speak of those school days, he did so in an 
appreciative manner, showing that he es- 
teemed the privilege of attending that school 
as one of the greatest blessings of his youth. 
He was studious, and especially excelled in 
mathematics. He ever retained a deep rev- 
erence and esteem for the teachers and 
other officers then in the institution. One 
of them, writing to the author, since his 
death, says : 

I remember him well as a more than usually 
quiet, unobtrusive and reserved boy, very atten- 
tive to his studies, and making good progress in 
them ; regardful of the rules of the school, and 
setting a good example before the pupils generally. 
His natural reserve and taciturnity prevented his 
teachers from obtaining that more intimate knowl- 
edge of his character which is frequently gained 
of a pupil.* 

* Prof. P. Earle of Northampton, Mass. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 21 

This natural reserve above spoken of was, 
to a certain extent, characteristic of M. Bai- 
ley to the end of his life, although as he 
came to full manhood, and was brought 
more in contact with his fellowmen, some of 
that reserve gradually wore off. 

While attending school he wrote several 
essays, which manifest the bent of his mind, 
and show the character his thoughts as- 
sumed at that early age. As these writings 
have been preserved, it is thought best to 
insert some of them here. The following 
short one on " The Ocean " seems to have 
been one of the first written during his last 
school term. All of those selected to be 
placed in this work were, we believe, written 
at that time, except the last one. 



22 REMINISCENCES OF 

THE OCEAN. 

The ocean presents to our view one of the 
grandest and most magnificent spectacles to be 
found among the works of nature. Whether we 
view it in its most agitated form, roaring and 
foaming with rage and mixing with the clouds, or 
whether we gaze upon it as it gently advances 
and recedes from the sandy shore, it is impossible 
for us to conceive of anything better calculated to 
excite in us lofty and sublime conceptions of the 
Deity. When we place ourselves upon the shore, 
and extend our view over the broad blue waves, 
we behold them extending as far as the eye can 
reach upon every side ; and if we look upon the 
world's map, we shall see that more than two- 
thirds of the earth's surface is in this manner 
covered. If it were not for the ocean, there would 
be no rain to water the earth ; hence it may be 
considered as the great reservoir of nature, the 
mighty source of evaporation which supplies the 
earth with fertility. There is not a fountain that 
gushes forth in the desert, nor a rivulet that flows 
in the remotest continent, but receives its supplies 
from this mighty source. 

The water of the ocean first rises to the clouds 
in vapor, then descends again to the earth in 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 23 

showers of rain, and then flows again to the ocean 
in streams and rivulets, after having watered and 
fertilized the land. 



CHARACTER OF MAN. 

The study of character has universally been 
considered as one of the most important and use- 
ful pursuits which can engage the attention of 
man. Upon the degree of knowledge which they 
possess of this important qualification, depends to 
a great extent the happiness and success of nations 
and individuals. To trace the character of man 
in all its various departments, to study the motives 
which impel him to action, to follow him through 
the numerous and varied stations he fills, from the 
domestic circle to the throne, from ignorance and 
poverty to learning and preferment, is a study at 
once useful and interesting, wide and diversified, 
to which have been devoted the most brilliant 
talents and the greatest genius. It interests alike 
all, and its benefits are felt by all classes of society. 

But actions speak louder than words. When 
we revert to history, the great recorder of events, 
and study the character of man as delineated 
there, it presents to us at one view a wide range 
of observation, in which are all that can result 



24 REMINISCENCES OF 

from the highest cultivation of virtue, to the entire 

;lect of improvement. 

Beginning at the primeval days of time, and 
ranging freely through a period of nearly six 
thousand years, in all the occupations of man, we 
find one of the most powerful motives to action, to 
be ambition. From this has resulted a long list of 
wars and commotions with all their attendant con- 
sequences, the loss of life to immense numbers of 
people, and destruction of the noblest works of art. 
Urged by ambition, those ancient generals, Caesar 
and Alexander, led on their victorious armies to 
war, conquest and death, remaining unsatisfied 
until universal empire crowned their efforts, en- 
tirely regardless of the dearest rights of man. 
But this great passion has been fostered or 
checked, according as the prevailing sentiments of 
religion have been correct or erroneous. There 
are few nations that have not some form of wor- 
ship, some idea of a Deity, and these have pro- 
ceeded from the dictates of reason and truth, or 
from those of ignorance and error. Every age of 
the world has been marked or noted for its peculiar 
doctrines on this important subject. At one 
period the celebrated Mahomet, shielding himself 
under the guise of religion, propagated bis 
impostures. 

Another era was marked by the dissensions and 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 25 

persecutions of the Reformers. The present is 
no less fruitful in divided views on this important 
subject than the preceding. The larger part of 
mankind are shrouded in ignorance, and bow in 
homage to images of their own making. If thus 
we pursue the history of man through the whole 
period of his existence, every page furnishes con- 
clusive evidences of the mutability of human 
events. The fluctuations and changes which have 
followed the most permanent institutions, confirm 
us in the belief that there is a Great Designing 
Cause who directs in the councils of nations and 
governs the affairs of men. 



THE RUINS OF TIME. 

Time, like death, is an impartial conqueror. 
Before his potent and irresistible hand, all the 
nations of the earth bow. The lofty monuments 
of art and the towering heights of genius must 
alike be leveled with the dust. 

As a proof of time's irresistible power, we have 
only to look at some of the most ancient and 
powerful kingdoms of the earth. Where now is 
mighty Babylon, that city which continued for 
ages to be the pride and glory of the world ? She 
has long since moldered into dust, and her lofty 



26 REMINISCENCES OF 

towers and impenetrable walls, which seemed to 
have been intended to defy the lightning and the 
storm, are destined in the course of time to re- 
ceive a final subjugation. The beautiful plain on 
which she stood has, as Whelpley most eloquently 
describes it, u Become an extensive marsh, as 
loathsome and unhealthy as it is useless." 

Where now is Greece, the land of genius and 
culture, to which the world is indebted for the 
origin of science and literature ? She, too, by the 
irresistible hand of age, has been hurled into the 
vortex of oblivion, and now remains to be a land 
of desolation. Her beautiful cities have become 
but a heap of undistinguishable ruins. So it is 
with man, who is distinguished by the title of 
" lord of creation." He rises and flourishes a few 
years, yet the time approaches when, like the cities 
he has builded and the monuments he has erected, 
he too must molder into dust, and even his mem- 
ory be erased by the hand of time from the pages 
of recollection. 

" Thou wingest thy flight o'er the realms of earth. 
And silence reigns where once was mirth. 
The palace once reared in marble grace, 
The splendid church in that beautiful place, 
Have all by that conquering hand of thine, 
Been erased from the page of time." 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 27 

EDUCATION. 

The cultivation of the human mind is an object 
which in every age, from the remotest antiquity of 
the world has been considered as one of the most 
important to society, and has received the atten- 
tion and support of every civilized community. 

The ancient Greeks, who are admitted by all 
nations to have been the most scientific and lit- 
erary people in the world, to whom mankind are 
indebted for many of the most important discov- 
eries and inventions, considered the education of 
their children as one of the first and most impor- 
tant objects of their attention. It confers upon 
man some of the most sublime qualities which 
can adorn the human mind. Its advantages are 
not like many other attainments, limited to any 
particular class of society, but all feel alike its 
beneficial effects. The poor and the rich, the 
peasant as well as the prince, if they be in posses- 
sion of the advantages which education affords, 
will also be respected and esteemed by all who 
know them ; while, on the other hand, a person 
void of knowledge, although he may possess thou- 
sands, would sustain but a poor comparison with 
one whose mind has been enlarged and refined by 
the benign effects of a good education. It tends 
in a very eminent manner to strengthen and en- 
large those faculties of the mind, which distinguish 



28 REMINISCENCES OF 

man from the lower orders of the animal creation, 
and to raise him high in the scale of intellectual 
enjoyment. 

Perhaps in no better manner can the value of 
education be estimated as regards the happiness 
and prosperity of nations, than by comparing the 
condition of the people of those countries which 
have for innumerable ages been sunk in the gross- 
est ignorance, with those on whom education has 
shed its cheering influences. In the one case we 
find an ignorant race of savages, degraded almost 
to a level with the brute creation, over whose 
minds and hearts ignorance and superstition have 
an almost unlimited sway, and to whom Christian- 
ity is unknown, who are compelled to worship at 
the shrine of idolatry and bow the knee in adora- 
tion to a helpless form of their own invention. 
Toil and repose — the enjoyment of the mere 
brute — make up the sum of their whole existence ; 
for, although they naturally possess in an equal 
degree the same capacity of thought as those of 
educated nations, yet, without cultivation, this is a 
barren faculty and but of little use to them. 

But on the other hand, let us look at those of 
the enlightened world. Here we behold an intel- 
ligent and enterprising nation, enjoying all the 
privileges of civilized life ; where every species of 
improvement is going forward to perfection, and 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 29 

who are taught to view and admire the glorious 
attributes of the Deity. 

In no country has greater exertion been made 
for the promotion of this object, than in the United 
States, where the advantages of education have 
been fully appreciated, and it has received that 
attention and support which its importance de- 
mands. And here, too, it is that we find one of 
the happiest and most prosperous nations in the 
world. 



THE WORKS OF NATURE. 

The contemplation of the works of nature affords 
to man the most refined pleasure and instruction ; 
and it is a privilege characteristic of him only, 
that while all other animals are confined within 
the narrow limits prescribed by instinct, he may 
extend his thoughts and observations beyond his 
immediate wants, and contemplate the various 
objects which adorn and beautify creation. 

Wherever he turns his eyes over the broad field 
of nature, he beholds an infinite variety of scenes 
arising to his view seeming to demand his notice 
and attention, and extends his researches after 
knowledge and instruction to every object by 
which he is surrounded. Not only does he eon- 



30 REMINISCENCES OF 

template and admire the beauties which diversify 
the globe on which we dwell, but extends his ob- 
servation beyond, and beholds other worlds rolling 
on in majestic harmony and grandeur, in the same 
unerring courses in which they were first launched 
by their Creator, each of which, we have reason 
to believe, is a system composed of the same sub- 
stance as our own, and governed by the same 
common and undeviating laws. 



VIRTUE. 

Among the infinite works of creation, the author 
of nature has formed man, whom He has exalted 
above all His other works, and raised above all 
other animals, by bestowing upon him faculties of 
mind susceptible of the highest improvement, and 
by implanting in him a soul which He has de- 
signed should soar far beyond the transient 
pleasures of earth, and participate in the glories 
of a world to come. But in bestowing upon him 
these blessings, He has so formed him that the 
enjoyment of them is closely connected with the 
practice of virtue. The mind of man is of such a 
nature that it possesses the faculty of directing its 
attention and observation to whatever object it 
desires, either in the contemplation and practice of 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 31 

morality and virtue, or in vanity and vice. By 
devotion to the former he may obtain the reward 
of eternal life; by the practice of the latter the 
ties which bind his soul to happiness are broken, 
and the superior faculties of mind with which he 
has been endowed are lost, and he fails of that 
high and exalted station to which he was destined 
to rise. 

Nor less is the practice of morality and virtue 
connected with the stability and prosperity of na- 
tions and governments. Rome, so long as she 
continued to practice and maintain the principles 
of virtue, was attended with prosperity and suc- 
cess, but when these principles were disregarded, 
and vice, the enemy of all human happiness, was 
allowed to become the ruling passion of the people, 
she descended from that lofty summit of glory 
above the other nations to which she had arisen, 
to a level with the less favored nations of the earth. 



32 REMINISCENCES OF 

THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. 

There is nothing which will contribute more 
largely to guard mankind against the commission 
of vice, or be a more effectual inducement to the 
pursuit of a just and laudable course, than a firm 
belief in the existence of that Eternal Being, at 
whose word this earth, with all its infinite variety 
of inhabitants, and all the host of planetary worlds 
that deck the vault of heaven, were brought into 
existence. For, if it be once admitted that there 
is such a being as God, we should naturally infer 
from His perfections and from the relations which 
we as rational creatures sustain to Him, that we 
are amenable to His awful tribunal. 

Our happiness depends upon our virtue, and our 
virtue depends upon the conformity of our hearts 
to the laws prescribed by our Creator. Of what 
vast importance is it, then, to our happiness, that 
a clear conviction should be indelible upon our 
minds as to the reality of that being whose exist- 
ence was without beginning, and is to be contin- 
uous with an eternity, which, after the lapse of 
ages more countless than the sands of the sea, 
will yet be no nearer its end than it was at the 
commencement. 

A belief in the existence of Him is the great 
original source of all virtue and religion. Let this 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 33 

belief be fully erased from the mind, and at once 
we place virtue and vice upon the same level. 

But it may be asked, "What evidence have we 
of the existence of a being whose presence eludes 
the perception of the eye, and also that of the 
most delicate feeling?" Our evidences of the 
truth of this important principle are unlimited, 
and of a character, too, utterly incapable of confu- 
tation. Everything in this vast creation gives 
evidence tending to substantiate this fact. Man 
himself may be regarded as a very striking evi- 
dence of the fact now before us. Let us look for 
a moment at the beautiful construction of our 
bodily frame. What a wonderful structure do we 
here behold! How does each member perform its 
respective duties, and how are they all adjusted, so 
that their movements are the most easy, graceful, 
and useful of anything which we can conceive ? 
All perform their proper offices and answer the 
most beneficent purposes. Man differs from all 
other animals in the possession of faculties of 
mind infinitely superior to theirs, by which he is 
able to soar far beyond the mere momentary grati- 
fications of earth, and contemplate the glories of 
brighter scenes of excellence beyond the skies. 
In the formation of man we behold the utmost ex- 
actness and order. Order always involves design, 
and where there is design, there must of necessity 
3 



REMINISCENCES OF 

be a designer. That being by whose design man 
was created can be none other than God. 

And now let us turn our attention for a moment 
to some of the beauties which diversify the earth. 
With what a delightful spectacle are we here pre- 
sented ! Here we behold a meadow clothed in 
smiling green, with here and there some tree of 
ancient growth rearing high its ponderous trunk, 
and spreading wide its branches loaded with golden 
fruit. Beyond, a little farther, we behold swells of 
huge mountains, slow rising from the earth, heav- 
ing their barren tops to the skies, and at their base 
a smooth and gentle river, slowly meandering its 
course along the steep and rugged banks, then 
passing down a verdant vale covered with fruits 
and flowers, producing all things necessary for the 
support of our bodies and the gratification of our 
senses. When taking this view of the matter the 
question naturally arises, 4% From whence came this 
beautiful order of things ? Who reared the lofty 
mountain and spread out the verdant mead ? 
Who formed the gentle river that fertilizes the 
fruitful plain, and who covered the earth with such 
an abundance of fruits and flowers, and so happily 
accommodated them to the comfort and conven- 
ience of man ?" 

Can there be any sceptic so much bewildered, 
and so far lost to all sense of reason, as to be- 
as some have vainly endeavored to prove, that all 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 35 

this is the production of chance ? This must have 
been the case, or there must have been a Creator. 
The absurdity of the former must be too apparent 
to every philosophical mind to require a demon- 
stration. But suppose we were to admit that 
everything in nature is the result of chance, that 
there is no Creator, no overruling power to sustain 
and uphold the universe, and that things happened 
to be as they are merely from the fortuitous con- 
currence of natural causes? If we admit this to 
be a fact we must also admit chance, as we call it, 
to be endowed with reason and foresight, else how 
do we predict with such unerring certainty the 
various changes which are constantly taking place 
around us ? What just grounds have we for sup- 
posing the seasons will continue to return in their 
proper order, bringing about with them seedtime 
and harvest, summer and winter, day and night, 
so indispensably necessary to man ? 

It is a universal law in nature that every effect 
must have a cause, and following this mode of 
reasoning we are constrained to admit that there 
must be a Creator. 

" In every walk where'er we tread, 
Our path with beauty's overspread. 
Whether we range the mountain side. 
Or cross the ocean's boist'rous tide, 
Or range the meadow clothed with green, 
The presence of a God is seen." 



RE?. BS OF 

The following was dated 18;- 

O, what a wondrous creature 's man ! 
He is formed of simple c* 

ce here is but a span, 
His being is but a di 

O, why was he thus placed below, 
To dwell a few short yea: 

: 

and tears. 

His life is like a summer flov 

That blooms a few short day 
The winter)* storm comes in an hour — 

So man, seen in his youthful prime, 

Is blooming, bright and ga 
Yet age comes on in course of time, 
s vigor fades av 

though man's life is full of pain, 
And much of trouble seems his doom, 
*t there 's a treasure he may gain, 
A happy rest beyond the tomb. 

A glorious world where souls are free, 

tre tyrants taint not nature's bliss ; 

If death that world's bright entrance be, 

Then why thus hard to part with this ? 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 37 



CHAPTER II. 
ENTERS BUSINESS MARRIAGE RELIGION. 

After leaving school, at the age of 
eighteen, Moses Bailey entered into active 
business life, working for his father, who 
was engaged at this time in manufacturing 
oil cloth, a business then in its infancy, 
until about the time of his majority, when 
he, together with his brother Charles, pur- 
chased the business and continued it for 
several years, until, by dint of industry, per- 
severance, and good management, they suc- 
ceeded in enlarging and increasing their 
manufacturing capacity, and improving the 
then crude modes of labor, until they built 
up the business which proved to be their 
life work, and which grew vastly on their 
hands. 

He entered into this business with all 
his energy, hesitating not to do the most 
menial service, peddling goods from place to 



38 REMINISCENCES OF 

place, laboring with his hands in any depart- 
ment of the factory, or shop as it was then 
called, wherever most needed, and at the 
same time toiling mentally and with marked 
ability for the promotion of his own and all 
other interests concerned. 

After manufacturing for a few years in 
company with his brother, he sold his inter- 
est to the latter, and erected a new factory 
consisting of several separate buildings for 
the different departments of work, at Bailey- 
ville, in Winthrop, where he continued the 
business alone until the summer of 1870, 
when these buildings were all destroyed by 
fire. 

When in his tw T enty-third year, he was 
united in marriage to Betsie Jones, daughter 
of Reuben Jones of Winthrop. Although 
their means were limited, they at once 
began housekeeping in a small and prudent 
way, in a humble residence near his place 
of business. This they continued to occupy 
during a period of about fourteen years, 
when, by economy and industry combined, 
they were able to build for themselves a 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 39 

new residence near the old one. This 
they did in the year 1856, and each of them 
spent the remainder of their lives in this 
comfortable home. 

Their marriage, though brought about 
under some difficulties, on account of oppo- 
sition by near friends, proved to be a very 
congenial and happy one. A person who 
was a member of their family sixteen years, 
once told the author that she had never 
heard an unkind word spoken by one of 
them to the other. 

Soon after his marriage he was attacked 
with typhoid fever of severe type, and for 
several weeks his life was despaired of. 
During six of these weeks he was uncon- 
scious. The author has often heard him 
say that those weeks were a total blank to 
him, and that he could not recall a single 
circumstance which transpired during the 
time. He would frequently remark in a 
grateful manner that he did not think he 
would ever; have recovered from that illness 
but for the timely arrival of his brother, Dr. 
Daniel Bailey, and for his skilful treatment, 



•40 REMINISCENCES OF 

and faithful, untiring care of him during all 
the weary nights and days when this terrible 
fever ra^ed unabated within him. When 
he became convalescent he was very much 
reduced, and remained weak and emaciated 
for a long time, never becoming physically 
strong, and ever after being predisposed to 
weak lungs, so that every cold, however 
slight, produced a cough. In consequence 
of this lack of endurance he could not in- 
crease his business as he desired, not being 
equal to the travel and exposure involved. 

Moses Bailey was a birthright member of 
the religious Society of Friends, and con- 
tinued in that membership during his entire 
life. His parents and several of his more 
remote ancestors were also Friends. He 
was a sincere believer in the principles and 
doctrines held by this organization, and was 
deeply attached to them. He often made 
remarks something like this : " I should not 
be a Friend if I did not fully believe that 
the professed doctrines and tenets of that 
Society were the most purely apostolic of 
any, but at the same time I do believe 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 41 

there are many sincere and divinely ac- 
cepted Christians in all other religious de- 
nominations." 

He believed in the " one baptism " of the 
Holy Spirit ; in the holy, blessed, and direct 
communion of our spirits with Christ, the 
Bridegroom of souls ; in the preaching of 
the gospel freely, without price, by either 
male or female, who are alike "one in Christ 
Jesus," the Head of His Church. He fully 
believed the Friends' Testimony in favor of 
peace, and was heartily opposed to war in 
any of its forms, whether in individual or 
family broils or national contests. He also 
indorsed Friends' Testimony against oaths 
legally taken, believing that the Christian 
by taking an oath appeared to be assuming 
that it made his obligation stronger to tell 
the truth, while in the sight of God it is 
just as wrong to tell a falsehood without 
legally swearing to it as to tell one under 
oath, although the law of the land may not 
thus regard it. He was a firm lover of free- 
dom, and hated slavery in all its phases. 
He used to say, that, to indulge in evil prac- 



42 REMINISCENCES OF 

tices, or to allow the pernicious habit of 
using intoxicating drink or tobacco to gain 
ascendency over us and become our mas- 
ter, was to submit to a species of slavery. 

He always endeavored to exert an influ- 
ence in favor of all the, to him, precious 
principles of his own religious Society. He 
believed, though John's baptism was an em- 
blem that could harm no one, that only the 
baptism of God's Holy Spirit, through faith 
in the sacrifice of the natural life of our 
Lord Jesus Christ for us, and the shedding 
of His life-blood, of which the Jewish sac- 
rifice was the type, as an atonement for our 
sins, which else must banish us into eter- 
nal condemnation, could avail us anything; 
that when our sins have been forgiven, and 
we are united to Christ by a holy covenant 
of grace, we may then hold sweet com- 
munion with Him, and partake constantly 
of His, for us, broken body and shed blood, 
that is, of His holy nature, the true bread 
and wine of the Kingdom, at any time or 
place, and not be obliged to wait weeks or 
perhaps months for this blessed sacramental 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 43 

feast. Certainly those who partake of the 
outward emblems can, and doubtless many 
do, enjoy also the privilege of constant 
spiritual communion with Christ. To him 
the ordinance always seemed to be a very 
solemn one, because of the importance 
attached to it by the communicant, and 
he had no controversy therewith, although 
it seemed to be a useless ordinance, and 
no more obligatory than the command of 
Christ respecting the washing of feet. 

Again, he believed there are precious gifts 
in the church alike to both male and female 
members ; that these are God-given, and 
should all be exercised to glorify and honor 
Him, and that He will require an account 
to be rendered to Him, whether they are 
used or not; that although we cannot earn 
our own salvation, yet if we are not faithful 
we shall not be able to retain it, except in 
an impoverished or weakly state, that is, we 
shall not feel the constant flow of love and 
joy in our hearts which those do who are 
continually surrendered to the will of God, 
and to the duties and privileges of the gos- 



44 REMINISCENCES OF 

pel. He believed that if all in the militant 
church were willing to exercise their spirit- 
ual gifts, the presence of an acknowledged 
minister in any assembly would not be ab- 
solutely necessary in order to have a good 
meeting, for if all faithfully seek to know 
and obey the call of duty, and embrace 
their gospel privileges, whether it be to 
speak a word for the edification of others, 
to pray audibly, or to commune silently with 
the Lord, — either or all, we believe, will be 
true and acceptable worship, and such as 
will command the divine blessing. 

We do not know the exact time in his life 
when Moses Bailey w r as converted, but we 
conclude, from conversations we have held 
with him, that he could not remember a 
time when he did not love the Lord, and 
call upon Him in prayer. Notwithstanding 
he often offended in thought, word and 
deed, yet he ever felt regret and condemna- 
tion therefor, and feared to do so again. 
And so, being tempted, yielding repeatedly, 
and as often suffering bitter contrition, he 
finally surrendered his whole heart and life 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 45 

in complete consecration to the will of God. 
This act of full and voluntary submission, 
we believe, did not occur until some time 
after the nearly fatal illness before men- 
tioned. At the time we think this entire 
consecration was made, we find the follow- 
ing was written by him : 

O God, I acknowledge that I am unworthy to 
approach Thy sacred footstool, or even to look 
toward Thy holy temple, for I am a poor sinner, 
altogether unworthy of Thy notice, and would not 
dare to come before Thee had not Jesus, my com- 
passionate Saviour, told me, and all poor sinners, 
that we might come, and invited us to come, to 
ask of Thee whatsoever we would in His name, 
and promised that Thou would give it us. There- 
fore in His name, and by His permission, would I, 
in deep humility and prostration of soul, bow at 
Thy blessed feet, and render unto Thy eternally 
worthy name thanksgiving and praise for Thy un- 
numbered blessings and mercies, and humbly ask 
Thy pardon and forgiveness for my many sins and 
transgressions. 

O God, Thou hast been a merciful Father unto 
me through all my life. Thy guardian care has 
been extended unto me from the very first dawn 
of my existence unto the present hour. Thy pro- 



46 REMINISCENCES OF 

tecting arm has been around me through all the 
varied course of my life, shielding me from dan- 
gers seen and unseen. Thou hast poured out 
abundantly of temporal blessings upon me, and 
spiritual good also Thou hast not withheld. 

We presume he realized, even after this, 
that the Christian life is a continued war- 
fare with " the world, the flesh, and the 
devil," and that it is only by fighting that 
the victory is won, through faith in the Cap- 
tain of our salvation. 

After the above, we find this, which he 
wrote subsequently: 

It is necessary for a person, in order to be a 
Christian, to deny himself all those things which 
are pleasing to the natural mind, but displeasing 
to God, and become willing to have his life regu- 
lated in accordance with the mind and will of 
Christ, which is always antagonistic to the carnal 
mind; and it is necessary at the commencement 
of our Christian course to come to this conclusion, 
for on that foundation alone can a sound Christian 
superstructure be reared. 

We are taught by this that the Christian in his 
course has a host to contend with, " the world, the 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 47 

flesh, and the devil," and that he has nothing in 
himself by nature wherewith he can successfully 
contend with these. It is through God's grace 
alone that he can ever overcome such formidable 
foes. 

Therefore we are taught the necessity of re- 
nouncing all earthly dependence, and relying on 
this grace for strength to fight our foes. And 
faith in this must be abode in steadfastly unto the 
end, else thus failing, while we are yet not far from 
the goal, the unwearied enemy may overtake us, 
and prevent our winning the prize when it is 
almost within our grasp. 

His wife can recall but two instances 
when he offered vocal prayer publicly, but 
she well remembers precious seasons, when 
they knelt together in the retirement of 
their own room, while he voiced forth his 
petitions audibly, in sweet, earnest, pleading 
prayer. 

We can recall many instances when he 
publicly acknowledged his Saviour by a few 
earnest, well chosen words, in religious 
meetings, although he did not often feel in- 
spired to speak on public occasions, perhaps 
not so frequently as he might have clone 



48 REMINISCENXES OF 

had he not had so great a disposition to 
shrink from notice. 

He was clerk of Fairfield Quarterly 
Meeting thirteen years, and of Winthrop 
Monthly Meeting twenty-two years, and yet, 
with all this experience, we once heard him 
declare that he never attempted to rise in 
order to read in meeting without a shrink- 
ing dread of beginning. 

Moses Bailey had very few confidants or 
intimate friends, although there were many 
whom he considered dear friends. A close 
intimacy existed between himself and his 
worthy brother-in-law, R. T. Jones, for about 
forty years, ceasing only with his death. 
The latter recently told the author that dur- 
ing all this time he had not been aware that 
an unpleasant thought had ever come be- 
tween them. He was seldom heard to criti- 
cise any one, but he was very quick to de- 
tect a fault, and would confidentially speak 
of it to his wife, or other trusted friend, and 
condemn it severely, at the same time ex- 
pressing sincere regret and sorrow that it 
existed. While he loved the sinner, he 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 49 

hated and condemned the sin. It always 
grieved him exceedingly to hear of impru- 
dent or sinful things being said or done 
by those who professed to be Christians. 
While following the advice of our honored 
Lincoln, to have " malice toward none and 
charity for all," he ever found it more 
difficult to have forbearance for faults in 
professors than in non-professors, for he 
believed that example should always accom- 
pany precept, else great harm must result. 

Doubtless many are now miserable in 
eternity, who would have been enjoying the 
bliss of heaven had they not allowed them- 
selves to be "turned out of the way" by 
unchristian professors. Not all who call 
Christ Lord "shall enter into the kingdom 
of heaven, but they only who do the will of 
His Father." Jesus says, " Woe unto that 
man by whom the offence cometh," even to 
" one of these little ones which believe in 
Me," and that it "were better for him that a 
millstone were hanged about his neck, and 
that he were drowned in the depths of the 
sea." The apostle says we must not do 
4 



50 REMINISCENCES OF 

anything whereby a brother would be made 
weak, or caused to stumble, and that even 
wounding their weak consciences is a sin 
against Christ. 

O, ye who profess to be the followers of 
the Lord of life and glory, how fearful is 
your responsibility! If ye manifest not 
His spirit before the world, and those 
"weak in the faith," in all of your actions 
as well as words, ye not only, each for your- 
self, become guilty before God, but your 
influence and example may be the means of 
turning others aside from the strait and 
narrow way that leads unto eternal life. 
And ye who are thus turned aside through 
the wrong-doing of others, remember that 
in the day of judgment you cannot there- 
fore have any reasonable excuse, for by their 
fruits ye should have known them. " Men 
do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of 
thistles." If those who profess to be Chris- 
tians do not bring forth the fruits of the 
Spirit, as specified by the apostle in Gal. v. 
22, they are surely deceiving themselves, 
for " if any man have not the spirit of 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 51 

Christ, he is none of His." His attributes, 
and those of His truly consecrated fol- 
lowers, are "love, joy, peace, long-suffer- 
ing, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, 
temperance." 

We agree with Cruden, that 

The work of redemption is attributed to the 
three persons of the Trinity ; their acts herein 
are of the same extent. The Father loves those 
that are given to Christ in the covenant of re- 
demption, and Christ is the Saviour of those who 
are loved by the Father ; and the Spirit sanctifies 
those that are justified through the merits of 
Christ's blood. Thus there is a chain in salva- 
tion ; the beginning is from the Father, the dis- 
pensation through the Son, and the application by 
the Spirit. Believers must look inward to the 
work of the Spirit on their hearts ; outward to the 
work of Christ on the cross ; upward to the ever- 
lasting love of the Father in heaven. 

By good works are to be understood all manner 
of duties, inward and outward, as well thoughts as 
words and actions toward God or man. It is nec- 
essary that good works proceed from right princi- 
ples, and have right motives and ends, namely : a 
principle of love to God, the motive of obedience 



52 REMINISCENCES OF 

to God's law, and the glory of God as the chief 
end. i Cor. x. 31. 

Man, because he is depraved or weakened by 
original sin, is not able to fulfil the law, and cannot 
be justified or accepted before God on account of 
his works, for by the deeds of the law shall no 
flesh be justified. Rom. iii. 20 ; Gal. ii. 16. 

The righteousness of Christ is the sole merito- 
rious cause of our justification, but those that are 
justified are also sanctified, and will be careful to 
maintain good works, for without " holiness no 
man shall see the Lord." Heb. xii. 14. 

Christ's righteousness, received by faith and im- 
puted to true believers, is the cause of their jus- 
tification, and gives them a gracious title to 
heaven, while sanctification makes them meet for it. 

We prefer the word (imparted) rather than 
(imputed). Our views of the righteousness 
of Christ, made available by faith in Christ, 
are fully expressed by the apostle in Rom. 
iii. 22, 24-26. 

We believe, speaking humbly from a 
standpoint of personal experience, and desir- 
ing to honor God only, that the truly con- 
secrated Christian has no heavy crosses 
to bear nor hard things to contend with in 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 53 

his spiritual life. The yoke of Christ is 
easy, and His burden is light, as Himself 
hath said. God makes "hard things easy, 
and bitter things sweet," to those who yield 
entire obedience to Him, and question not 
the rightness of His designs. Then we can 
say in true sincerity of heart, " Thy will be 
done," because "our will is the will of our 
God," and with the Psalmist, " I delight to 
do Thy will, O my God," also with the 
sainted Faber: 

I worship thee, sweet will of God, 

And all thy ways adore, 
And every day I live I seem 

To love thee more and more. 

And He hath breathed into my soul 

A special love of thee, 
A love to lose my will in His 

And by that loss be free. 

When obstacles and trials seem 

Like prison walls to be, 
I do the little I can do, 

And leave the rest to thee. 



54 REMINISCENCES OF 

I know not what it is to doubt ; 

My heart is ever gay ; 
I run no risk, for come what will, 

Thou always hast thy way. 

I have no cares, O blessed Will, 

For all my cares are thine ; 
I live in triumph, Lord ! for Thou 

Hast made Thy triumphs mine. 

But ere this experience can be ours, we 
must be able to say, with the saintly Frances 
Ridley Havergal, 

Take my life and let it be 
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. 

That Christian who has a thorny path, 
and is frequently overshadowed by clouds, 
may know that something is lacking on his 
part ; some darling idol has not been aban- 
doned, or some antagonism to the Divine 
will is being encouraged. In brief, there 
has not been an entire consecration, else he 
would be happy and joyful. Under every 
circumstance, however disagreeable it might 
outwardly be, there would be in his soul a 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 55 

sweet feeling of peace, which is the effect 
of perfect trust. His "peace would be as a 
river," and his " righteousness as the waves 
of the sea." This is a beautiful experience, 
ineffably precious. The path is easy to fol- 
low that was trodden by our Saviour, and 
has since been traveled by so many of His 
followers that it is now well beaten and plain 
to be traced. How beautifully the prophet 
describes it when he says : " An highway 
shall be there, and it shall be called the way 
of holiness ; the unclean shall not pass over 
it." He does not say there shall be no des- 
ert, no wilderness there, but he says that 
11 the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the 
rose," and "in the wilderness shall waters 
break out." 

The consecrated Christian is not, by any 
means, exempt from trials, bereavements and 
temptations incident to this life of proba- 
tion, but amid them all he will trust in God 
and be fearless, knowing that the Almighty 
arm can support him. He need not "take 
heed lest he fall," because he knows that 



56 REMINISCENCES OF 

he does not stand by his own power, but 
that God holds him up ; therefore " none of 
these things move" him. He is anxious to 
honor God ; hence he constantly watches 
unto prayer, and guards his words and acts, 
lest by some forgetfulness he may bring 
reproach upon those principles which he 
professes. If at any time he thoughtlessly 
does or says .anything imprudent or sinful, 
his intense love for his Heavenly Father 
will at once prompt repentance and confes- 
sion, which always touches the heart of the 
Infinite One, and anon brings forgiveness 
for the sake of our Saviour and Intercessor, 
who sympathizes with, and pities, His erring 
children, for He also has endured tempta- 
tions for their sakes, and knows how to 
deliver them. 

Sensitiveness is, we believe, the result of 
pride, and no truly consecrated Christian 
will be willing to harbor or encourage such 
a disposition, even if, to rid himself of it, 
causes as much suffering and effort as to 
pluck out the right eye. He will not 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 57 

permit himself to be watching for evil or 
looking for slights. We all have as much 
love, respect and regard from others as we 
merit. 

We would on no account have our readers 
suppose that it is perilous to profess Chris- 
tianity because it is so difficult to live it. 
This is not true. If we truly have the fear 
and love of God in our hearts, it is easier to 
live godly lives, and bring forth the perfect 
fruits of the spirit, than it is for the uncon- 
verted to live in sinfulness and alienation 
from Him, for in their case, if the strivings 
of the Holy Spirit have not been resisted 
until withdrawn, there is a constant feeling 
of condemnation and unrest, "a fearful look- 
ing for of judgment"; but to the truly re- 
generate, in whose hearts dwell godly love 
and fear, it is as easy and delightful to keep 
God's law as for the good child to obey 
its earthly parents. Only those who have 
" kept back part of the price," and failed to 
yield their whole hearts to the Lord, find it 
difficult to obey. In their case, some dear 
idol of the unrenewed heart still remains 



58 REMINISCENCES OF 

enthroned. O that such would pray earn- 
estly with the poet Cowper : 

If any idol I have known, 

Whate'er that idol be, 
Help me to tear it from Thy throne, 

And worship only Thee. 

The idol we are cherishing may be the 
love of dress, of show, or of flattery; it 
may be avarice or desire for popularity; it 
may be an unholy business which we are 
not willing to abandon for salvation, or an 
unholy lust or appetite for strong drink, or 
craving for worldly pleasures, ungodly asso- 
ciates; or it may be a desire to manifest 
arbitrary shrewdness in business. The idol 
to which we are still clinging may be a pro- 
pensity or love to exaggerate facts, to gossip, 
to deceive by flattery, or indulge in tale- 
bearing; or it may be over-sensitiveness in 
regard to our reputation, or undue anxiety 
to excel, or to be considered religious. Per- 
haps it is covetousness, which no one can 
deny is idolatry, since the inspired volume 
marks it such. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 59 

In the same category we place jealousy, 
which is sometimes cherished, though " cruel 
as the grave." We are reminded of an as- 
sertion made by an aged sage, who said he 
had never known a quarrel to arise between 
two intimate friends, a family quarrel, or a 
church quarrel, that did not originate in 
jealousy. How essential, then, that as Chris- 
tians, we should ever watch and pray, lest 
any of these propensities predominate in 
our characters, and so sway our lives as to 
make us stumbling-blocks to others. But, 
better yet, let us earnestly and sincerely ask 
God to take these propensities out of our 
hearts, root and branch, and so change our 
entire natures from evil to good, that our 
lives may conform to the life and example of 
His own Blessed Son, whose name we bear, 
and whose image we profess to have en- 
stamped upon our souls when we assume the 
name of Christian. Then it will be easy to 
live a genuinely holy life, equal to the high- 
est profession, which even our enemies shall 
not be " able to gainsay." 

Jesus says, "My yoke is easy and My bur- 



60 REMINISCENCES OF 

den is light " ; hence, if we are having a 
hard time, it is because we have not fully 
come under His yoke, and permitted Him 
to stand by our side and help us bear life's 
burdens; but if we do take His yoke upon 
us, we shall make rapid progress, provided 
we do not try to take any idols along with 
us, which He will not help us carry. 

Moses Bailey was a firm believer in con- 
fession, as well as profession. Although he 
did not often speak in the public assemblies 
of God's people, yet he was " always ready 
to give a reason for the hope that was in 
him," and loved to do it anywhere, especially 
if the truth were assailed. On a leaf of his 
diary we find the following: 

It is the truth which is assailed in any age, which 
enlists our fidelity. It is to confess that we are 
called, and not merely to profess. If we profess 
with the loudest and clearest exposition every por- 
tion of the truth of God, except precisely that little 
point which the world and the devil are at that 
moment attacking, we are not confessing Christ, 
however boldly we may be professing Christianity. 
Where the battle rages the loyalty of the soldier 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 61 

is proved. To be steady in all the battlefield be- 
side is mere flight and disgrace if there be flinch- 
ing at that one point. 

The following, written by him, and read 
to his Bible class in the last month of the. 
year 1869, seems to be appropriate to insert 
here, although we are yet speaking of events 
prior to that period : 

"I must work the works of Him that sent Me 
while it is day ; the night cometh, when no man 
can work/' 

These were the words of Jesus on a certain 
occasion when there was brought to Him a man 
who was born blind, and He opened his eyes, and 
gave him sight. In this marvelous display of love 
and tender compassion for afflicted, suffering hu- 
manity, Jesus not only manifested to the people 
His omnipotence, giving the most conclusive and 
undeniable evidence that He possessed power 
nothing short of Almighty, but at the same time 
He gave to His disciples a lesson fraught with 
deep instruction, showing the importance of per- 
forming every duty with promptness, at the time 
of its manifestation, remembering that the "night 
cometh when no man can work." We know that 



62 REMINISCENCES OF 

our time on earth is short, and that we are fast 
approaching the period when the night of death 
will overtake us, and there is no work nor device 
in the grave whither we are hastening. And God 
has told us, too, that His Spirit shall not always 
strive with man, for that he also is flesh. There- 
fore the imperative necessity of attending to the 
duties assigned us while the light of the Holy 
Spirit is granted. This is our time to work, for 
when that is withdrawn, then is it night indeed ; 
then there is darkness indeed, a darkness that 
may well be compared to that which the Egyptians 
experienced anciently, even a darkness that might 
be felt. 

During the entire life-work of Christ, in what- 
ever condition or situation we find Him, whether 
on the mountain-side, on the boisterous deep, at 
a marriage festival, or at the grave of a deceased 
friend, we behold Him always employed in doing 
good to the bodies and souls of men ; and in His 
life on earth He has set an example for His disci- 
ples in every age to follow. 

Would it not be well for us often to pause, re- 
flect, and seriously consider this subject, and fre- 
quently ask ourselves : Why are we here ; why 
created and endowed with such faculties of mind? 
Not only are we gifted with social affections for 
our dear friends, and those with whom we stand 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 63 

in relationship, and are connected by kindred ties, 
but we have also the principles of morality and 
religion implanted within us, which it is our duty 
carefully to foster and develop, and by a proper 
cultivation of these, under the guidance and direc- 
tion of the Spirit of Truth, our minds become 
enlarged, and we are made to look a little beyond 
our own selfish gratifications and desires, and to 
ardently wish for the prosperity, comfort, and 
happiness of all around us. And when this desire 
becomes a prevailing and governing principle with 
us, and our minds are filled with love for all man- 
kind, and for the whole workmanship of God, 
wherever scattered over His universe, and to love 
them, too, for their Author's sake, then the soul 
is made capable of reaching beyond the confines 
of earth, and holding communion in spirit with 
God Himself. This is what constitutes true hap- 
piness, the great and paramount object for which 
we are all seeking. 

The object, then, of our being placed here and 
endowed with such talents and faculties of mind, 
is to give us an opportunity to occupy and improve 
them for our own moral and spiritual benefit, and 
thus prepare ourselves for a higher and holier 
state of existence in the eternal world. And one 
of the most important means of this improvement 
in ourselves is that of unfeigned love for others, a 



6-1 REMINISCENCES OF 

desire to do them good, and to elevate their con- 
dition, while we wish for their prosperity as heart- 
ily as for our own. This, indeed, is one of the 
primary and fundamental laws of God Himself. 
The second summary command of our Creator is 
intimately and inseparably connected with the 
first, which is : " Thou shalt love the Lord thy 
God with all thy heart, mind and strength ; and 
the second is like unto it, namely, Thou shalt love 
thy neighbor as thyself; on these two command- 
ments hang all the law and the prophets." 

These laws have been recorded on the sacred 
page, where they have stood for ages past, and 
have been handed down to us, and will stand 
through all generations to come, as a test for us 
to measure and prove ourselves by. In the ob- 
servance of these two commandments is laid the 
foundation of all true religion, and unless we 
observe them, and thus demonstrate in our lives 
that they are our governing principles, no matter 
how high our profession may be, it will prove but 
an empty name, and will be counted to us no bet- 
ter than filthy rags, and we shall never be able to 
advance one step in true holiness until we yield 
obedience to these primary laws. 

But are not some of us saying within ourselves : 
We believe in these sacred words, that they are 
of Divine origin, that the doctrines and precepts 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 65 

contained in the Bible are true, that they are 
indeed obligatory, yet such is my situation in life, 
and such the peculiar circumstances with which I 
am surrounded, that I can do nothing to advance 
the cause of truth. If I were differently situated, 
if my position were like A's or B's, then I would 
act, but as it is, I will keep silence, and endeavor 
to do nothing either for or against the cause, 
which, however, I am convinced, yea know, to be 
good. 

But this is a very improper and dangerous posi- 
tion for any of us to assume, and we believe it to 
be utterly impossible for any one to maintain it if 
he would. It is contrary to the law of our crea- 
tion. We are so constituted that we must to some 
extent exert an influence over each other, either 
for good or evil, and although we may not be 
aware of it, the effect is the same, and will sooner 
or later be apparent. 

But supposing it were even possible for one to 
assume and maintain a position entirely independ- 
ent of others, — which we can in no wise admit, — 
that the course of life pursued and the acts per- 
formed or omitted had no effect farther than the 
individual himself, it might then be some mitiga- 
tion of the evil. The sin of neglecting or refusing 
to perform the duties of life would not be as great 
as if it affected our fellows, yet we should be 
5 



Q6 REMINISCENCES OF 

offending that Power which created us, and has 
intrusted each of us with talents, and enjoined 
upon each the duty of occupying them until He 
come, for our own spiritual improvement and 
our soul's advancement. 

But is it not sometimes the case, that, in refus- 
ing or neglecting to perform acts which we are 
convinced by that unerring guide, the Spirit of 
Truth, are incumbent on us, we do also prevent 
others from doing their work, and thus, too often, 
indirectly lead them astray from their line of duty, 
which, had it not been for our baleful influence 
over them, they might have strictly performed ? 
In this may we not be doubly guilty, first of the 
sin of omission, and secondly of commission ? 

If we look at the subject in this light, — which 
we believe to be the true medium, — and should 
find on careful self-examination that we are living 
in the manner above described, how can we expect 
to escape the just judgments of an offended God 
for neglecting to occupy the talents committed 
unto us ? Yea, and we fear the neglect of others 
may in a great measure be charged to our account. 
Therefore it is of the highest importance that we 
look well to this subject, and see that as individ- 
uals we are faithfully performing our part in the 
duties of life ; not only the specific duties belonging 
to our individual sphere, but that we ever maintain 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 67 

a watchful care over ourselves as to our inter- 
course with others, so that no word or deed from 
us shall have a tendency to mar or retard the 
progress of any soul in good works, and that we 
may not be found guilty of casting a stumbling- 
block in the way of a fellow-creature's advance- 
ment. 

Our years on earth are few and fleeting, and, ere 
we are aware, they are past, and numbered with 
time that was, but never again shall be. Seem- 
ingly but a few days ago we stood at the threshold 
of the present year, and now its close is just 
at hand; its very last sands are running out. 
Would not the question then at this time be a 
pertinent one for each of us : What is the record 
which I have been making during the last twelve 
months? The man of business at the close of 
each year looks carefully over his account to see 
what his liabilities are, and what he has with 
which to meet them ; and with what anxiety does 
he examine and foot up page after page of the 
record, in order to know how he stands with the 
world, whether he is better or worse off for his 
year's labor. This, men do carefully, and it is emi- 
nently proper, since their safety rests in their doing 
so. If our safety, then, consists in thus carefully 
adjusting our accounts with our fellow men, in 
matters pertaining simply to this fleeting life, of 



68 REMINISCENCES OF 

what vastly greater importance that we look well 
to, and examine with special care, the record that 
will affect us, not merely for a few fleeting years, 
but upon which may depend our eternal destiny. 

While it is our duty often to review our life, and 
see how the account stands between ourselves and 
God, is not the present a time peculiarly fitting for 
us to win back the pages of the past? Let us 
examine very carefully and impartially, in the light 
of the Spirit of Truth, that we may see and know 
whether we stand discharged of our indebtedness 
in our great account with our Maker, or whether 
there yet remains an unadjusted balance, which 
we are liable any moment to be called to a settle- 
ment of, at God's tribunal. If so, certainly the 
work is of pressing importance, and should be 
engaged in without a moment's delay. 

We are called, from life's early dawn until its 
evening hour, to enter into the vineyard of the 
Lord, and work for Him. But perchance there 
may be some, even here, who have neglected to 
hearken to the great Husbandman's morning call, 
have passed unheeded His noonday invitation, and 
now the evening twilight of their earthly existence 
is fast gathering around their pathway, and soon, 
very soon, the night will close in upon them, 
wherein no man can work. But such is the great 
love and tender mercy of God to His recreant 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 69 

children, not willing that any of them should per- 
ish, that He follows them from the early morning 
until the eleventh hour of life, inviting, persuading, 
entreating them in the most endearing language to 
come and work in His vineyard, and thus receive 
for themselves present happiness, and a title to a 
mansion in eternal glory. 

And now it may be that the last invitation is at 
this very time being extended to some poor soul, 
to consecrate the little remaining pittance of his 
life to the service of the Lord, while the unfailing 
promise of Jesus is still annexed to a compliance 
with the invitation : He shall have an hundred- 
fold now in this time, and in the world to come, 
life eternal. And, oh, as we prize our present 
and eternal happiness, may none of us let this call 
pass unheeded. 

A new year is about to be ushered in, and with 
its dawning may we each form this renewed resolu- 
tion : " As for me and my house we will serve the 
Lord." We have all to acknowledge that we have 
come far short of working for our Lord with that 
alacrity and persistent perseverance which the im- 
portance of the salvation of souls demands ; and 
some of us are especially obliged to confess, with 
blushing and confused faces, that the greater por- 
tion of the allotted time of man is past to us, and 
irretrievably lost. Nor can we tell how small may 



70 REMINISCENCES OF 

be the portion yet remaining. Not even the 
angels in heaven can tell which of us, who now 
witness the incoming year, shall be permitted to 
see its close. Then let each of us be aroused from 
slumber and " awake out of sleep." " The night 
is far spent, the day is at hand ; let us therefore 
put off the works of darkness, and put on the 
armor of light. Let us walk honestly as in the 
day," " putting on the Lord Jesus Christ." "See 
that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as 
wise, redeeming the time, because the days are 
evil." 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 71 



CHAPTER III. 

TRAVELS IN OHIO, INDIANA, AND MARYLAND 

BUSINESS CARES BEREAVEMENTS, ETC. 

In the autumn of 1855 Moses Bailey went 
with Samuel Taylor, a minister of the Soci- 
ety of Friends, to make a religious visit to 
some of the churches in Ohio, Indiana and 
Maryland. They attended the Yearly Meet- 
ings held in each of those States, and visited 
some small meetings, and some families be- 
longing to them. The following is a copy 
of the Certificate granted to him by his own 
Monthly Meeting in Maine, before he en- 
tered upon this service : 

Our beloved friend, Moses Bailey, informed this 
meeting that he had a prospect of accompanying 
our friend Samuel Taylor jr., in his proposed 
religious visit to Ohio, Indiana and Baltimore 
Yearly Meetings, and some meetings within their 
limits, as expressed in his Minute of concurrence 
form Sydney Monthly Meeting of Friends, which 



72 REMINISCENCES OF 

prospect was fully united with, he being a mem- 
ber of this Meeting, in unity and good esteem 
with us. 

Taken from the Minutes of Litchfield Monthly 
Meeting of Friends, held at Litchfield, Eighth 
month, 24th, 1855. 



Jacob Pope, ) Q , 

Lucy J. Hawkes, } ^ lerKS - 



Elijah Pope, 

Correspondent. 

In all his after life he recalled the memory 
of this visit with much satisfaction and 
pleasure. We have heard it spoken of also 
by some of those visited, whom we have 
since met, as having been a source of com- 
fort to them never to be forgotten. One of 
these said that a few words spoken to him 
by Moses Bailey, in private conversation at 
his own home in Ohio, was the means of 
his conversion. He afterward became a 
minister of the Gospel. 

The following letter M. B. wrote to his 
wife, on his arrival in Ohio, their first stop- 
ping-place : 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 73 

Mount Pleasant, O., 

Eighth month, 31, 1855. 

My Very Dear Wife : 

I embrace this early opportunity, after our 
arrival at this place, to write to thee, knowing 
thou wilt wait with intense anxiety to hear from 
me, and I suppose I shall not get a letter from 
thee until thou gets this, and sufficient time is 
given for return mail. So don't, dear, delay writ- 
ing at once. 

A most heartrending accident occurred on the 
road from New York to Philadelphia, the day we 
passed over, — one, the contemplation of which can 
but make the strong man shudder, and the heart 
faint. A carriage crossing the track was run over 
by a New York train, smashing to atoms the 
horses and carriage. The persons narrowly es- 
caped by leaping instantly to the ground. When 
the rear car came in contact with the obstruction, 
it was thrown from, and turned around across, the 
track, and the second car passed entirely through 
it, smashing them both, and instantly killing almost 
all of the passengers within, reported to be about 
thirty in number. What a solemn and awful warn- 
ing, showing us the uncertainty of life, and bring- 
ing forcibly to our minds that "in the midst of 
life we are in dcath. ,, 



74 REMINISCENCES OF 

We arrived in Baltimore on fourth day, at about 
eleven o'clock in the evening, stopped at a public 
house, and at eight o'clock, fifth day morning, left 
for Wheeling, three hundred eighty miles distant. 
.... We left Wheeling at eight a.m., and arrived 
here about twelve m., — four hours in going ten 
miles. If this is a sample of Ohio traveling, I 
think we cannot accuse them of driving unreasona- 
bly fast. Now, here we are, receiving the hospital- 
ity of our friend J. B., Clerk of the Yearly Meeting. 
He is an old friend and acquaintance of S. It was 
at his father's house that V. Meader was sick and 

died, when S. was with him I am as well 

as usual, excepting a slight cold that I took coming 
in over the mountain last night. After a night's 
sleep I expect to come out bright. S. wishes his 
love to thee; says, tell thee he will try to use me 

well Thou wilt not, of course, delay writing 

to me. Farewell, dear wife. 

Truly thine, 

Moses Bailey. 

The next, we take from a letter written in 
the form of a diary, while he was attending 
Ohio Yearly Meeting. 

Ninth month, ist. This is rather a long day for 
me. S. is attending select meeting, and I am 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 75 

left pretty much out of business, except visiting 
strangers, which I never had much fancy for. 

First day morning, Ninth month, 2d. The 
Yearly Meeting for worship commenced at Mount 
Pleasant. An unusually large number of Friends 
from other Yearly Meetings are in attendance. 
There are, I believe, fourteen ministers with cer- 
tificates, beside strangers. After the meeting was 
collected, and had sat a short time in silence, our 
dear friend John Scott, from Baltimore, gave us a 
short, but very appropriate and interesting dis- 
course, commencing with these words : " One is 
your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." 
.... Moses H. Beede followed him, and preached 
a very powerful sermon 

At the afternoon session the house was crowded 
to overflowing. We had a very good address from 
friend S., commencing with these words : " Simon, 
Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you that 
he may sift you as wheat ; but I have prayed for 
thee that thy faith fail not; and when thou art 
converted, strengthen thy brethren," also, " Simon, 
son of Jonas, lovest thou Me ? Yea, Lord, Thou 
knowest that I love Thee. Feed My sheep," etc. 
After this P. Hazard and S. Hazard from Vermont 
spoke briefly. 

Third day morning, at nine o'clock, the meeting 
met according to adjournment. Jonathan Binns 



76 REMINISCENCES OF 

was appointed Clerk, and James B. Bruff, to assist 
him. The meeting proposed to read copies of 
Epistles issued by New England Yearly Meeting 
from 1845 to 1852 inclusive, which were sent to 
this meeting by direction of our last Yearly Meet- 
ing, which was done, very much to the comfort 
and satisfaction of this meeting.* The reading of 
these Epistles brought to the minds of us who are 
members of New England Yearly Meeting, and 
were present at their adoption by our own meet- 
ing, the lively solicitude felt and manifested from 
time to time by New England Yearly Meeting for 
the prosperity of truth and the unity and fellow- 
ship of the members of this meeting. At nine 
o'clock today we attended a meeting on the Con- 
cern of Friends for the Indians, after which went 
to E. J.'s to tea, and spent the evening there very 
pleasantly. 

Fourth day morning, the 5 th inst. The meet- 
ing assembled according to adjournment, and the 
queries and answers were read; after which several 
Friends were engaged to offer much excellent 
counsel and persuasive advice on the various sub- 
jects brought to view by these queries, especially 
on the right training of youth, and the importance 
of frequently reading the Holy Scriptures. The 
subject of education was now brought before the 

* Separation occurred in 1855, while M. B. was there. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 77 

meeting, and some statistical accounts from the 
Quarterly Meetings were presented, showing that 
this important subject is receiving a very com- 
mendable share of interest among Friends. Ex- 
cellent remarks were made, and members were 
encouraged not to relax their efforts to give their 
children a guarded education, as far as circum- 
stances would allow ; and it was feelingly recom- 
mended to parents to cultivate a habit of familiarity 
with their children, freely conversing with them, 
and manifesting even in their tender years a 
strong interest in their present and eternal wel- 
fare. The subject of Bible Schools was now 
brought to view, and the minds of many Friends 
appeared renewedly awakened to the importance 
of it. 

Fifth day morning. Attended a public meeting 
for worship, which was excellent, and large as to 
attendance. Several ministers were earnestly en- 
gaged in Gospel service. After meeting we went 
home with J. H. to dinner. Went out into the 
peach orchard, where we had a feast of luscious 
fruit. I think I ate as many peaches as will do 
me good 

Sixth day evening. Nothing more of impor- 
tance excepting the usual closing business, which 
was completed about seven o'clock. By request 
of Susan Harland and Edith Griffith the partitions 



78 REMINISCENCES OF 

were raised, and they each addressed the meeting 
in an admirable manner. Edith Griffith knelt, 
and such a prayer I scarcely ever heard. At 
about nine p.m. the meeting closed. It has been 
one of unusual interest and solemnity, and Friends 
have been able to transact their business in great 
unity and brotherly love. After meeting, in com- 
pany with several other Friends, we took a car- 
riage for Wheeling, where we arrived about two 
o'clock. This seventh day morning we shall take 
the boat and cars for Salem, where we want to be 
tonight, in order to attend the funeral of W. 
Hawks, which is to be to-morrow. 

First day morning, 9th inst. We arrived at this 
place (Salem) last evening. The funeral spoken 
of is to be at two o'clock this afternoon. My 
health is very good, and we are getting along as 
well as we could expect thus far • 

I want all of our folks to write me. I wonder 
if brother D. and wife have gotten down to Maine. 
How do Levi and the boys get along ? Well, no 
doubt. Wish my wife would write every day. 

Moses Bailey was very deeply attached to 
his home, to its surroundings, and to his 
family, relatives and neighbors, although va- 
rious duties, secular, social and religious, 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 79 

often required him to leave them; and he 
always went where duty called. We doubt 
not that, if he had consulted his natural in- 
clinations, it would generally have been a 
cross, if not a real sacrifice, for him to have 
gone away. Not being strong physically, 
he always slept better in his own home bed, 
and enjoyed a better appetite at his own 
home table than elsewhere. He did not like 
even to have the furniture of his room 
changed, because it made the place seem for 
awhile as if it w r ere not home. The follow- 
ing letter may seem to betray a feeling bor- 
dering on homesickness, but we presume he 
did not so intend it. 

Salem, O., Ninth month, 24th, 1855. 
My Ever Dear and Precious Wife : 

Although I have just written to thee, and do 
not know as I have any new thing to write that 
will interest thee, yet having a little spare time to- 
day, it seems that I cannot refrain from improving 
it. This being the only means at present by 
which I can speak to thee, I consider it a very 
great privilege that we are able to converse to- 
gether in this way 



80 REMINISCENCES OF 

Though rivers roll, and mountains rise, between 
us, they can never separate us in heart, or prevent 
our communing in mind. The mind will never be 
limited by time or space. As days pass on and 
distance widens, thou, my dear, art brought nearer 
and dearer (though ever dear) to my heart, and 
love's tender ties increase and strengthen, and her 
silken cord is intwined still more closely, and 
bound with increasing firmness around us, uniting 
in inseparable bonds our very souls in one. Thou 
sometimes feels lonely, my dear one, and sees noth- 
ing cheerful around thee, but then remember thou 
art not alone, for thou hast my very heartfelt sym- 
pathy in all such seasons, and I think I can feel 
and sympathize with thee from some little degree 
of experience. Troubles divided lose half their 
force. I believe that thou sometimes hast secret 
trials, too, that the world is quite unacquainted 
with, and which thou feels thou can hardly speak 
of to any one. Thou often realizes thy inability, 
and not unfrequently art almost ready to give up, 
discouraged. Is not this the case, dear wife ? If 
so, I just want to say to thee, don't give way too 
much to discouragement or despondency, but en- 
deavor to do thy duty faithfully and cheerfully, and 
I believe sufficient strength will be given thee for 
all that may be required at thy hands. And, dear 
B., if there is anything I can do to encourage, 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 81 

comfort, or in any way strengthen thee, be assured 
it will afford me the greatest pleasure to do it. 

We have no meeting today. We have one or 
two friendly visits to make, and prepare to leave 
this place, probably forever. 

Yesterday we attended meeting here in the 
afternoon, general notice having been given. S. 
was favored to speak in a very remarkable manner, 
and we had a season long to be remembered by 
those present. At seven o'clock in the evening 
had a meeting at Camfield, the shire town of the 
county, ten miles from here, and I returned here 
after the meeting. There are no Friends at all in 
that place. 

To-morrow morning we expect to set our faces 
toward Indiana, and get to Alum Creek Quarterly 
Meeting on first day. What more can I say to 
thee at this time, my dear wife ? I do not know 
as anything, so I will again bid thee farewell, and 
may the God of grace and mercy be with thee. 

From Ohio, he and Samuel Taylor went 
to Indiana, and attended the Yearly Meet- 
ing held at Richmond. While there he 
wrote this epistle to his wife: 



82 REMINISCENCES OF 

Richmond, Lnd., Tenth month, 9th, 1S55. 
My Dear Wife : 

Welcome thy very affectionate and highly 
valued epistle of the thirtieth of last month ! I 
had given up all hope of getting a letter from thee 
before we left this place, which thou wilt under- 
stand by what I have just written, and was about 
to mail when this, thy highly valued favor came to 
hand. Truly, my dear, this is a great treat to me, 
and gave me renewed courage. I had really begun 
to feel quite anxious about thee, fearing thou was 
sick. Thy kind expressions of feeling and sympa- 
thy have been much to my comfort and encou: 
ment. To realize that I have such a dear friend 
to share my joys and sorrows, whether present or 
absent, is indeed a blessing I highly prize, and one 
for which I feel truly thankful. The letter inclosed 
in thine, from brother Levi, I was very glad to get. 
I would write him if I had time. 

I have received this evening a letter from 
brother Reuben, full of brotherly love and kind- 
ness ; also, one from each of my dear friends, E. 
W. and J. A. \V., expressive of their friendly re- 
gard and kind feeling toward me while separated 
from them ; all of which was very cordial to my 
feelings, and to each of them I would tender my 
sincere thanks. May unnumbered blessings be 
r portion, both in time and eternity ! I would 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 83 

be glad to write to all these dear friends had I the 

opportunity. Thou, my dear wife, must tell them 

what I would have written ; thou understands it 

all, I will therefore trust them with thee. My dear 

friend Samuel wishes his love given particularly to 

thee; also, to all the rest of my friends. And 

now, my precious wife, I must again bid thee 

farewell. May the blessing of Him who resides in 

the Heaven of heavens be on thee, and against 

thy name in the volume of His will may happiness 

be written. 

Truly thine, 

M. B. 

In his diary, under date Fourth day, 3d of 
Tenth month, 1855, we find written the 
following: 

Indiana Yearly Meeting commenced at eleven 
a.m. Quite a number of strangers from other 
Yearly Meetings, especially from New England, 
were present. The meeting, though very large, was 
orderly and quiet, and soon settled into solemn still- 
ness, beyond what could be expected from so large 
a congregation. After sitting in silence a few 
moments, Dr. Thomas, of Baltimore, addressed us 
in a short but interesting and instructive manner, 
endeavoring to impress upon our minds the neces- 
sity of each one individually experiencing the re- 



84 REMINISCENCES OF 

generating operation of grace in his own heart. 
Notwithstanding God in His just condescension 
and mercy has done so much for us, and made 
an everlasting covenant with His people, saying : 
" I will put my laws into their mind and write 
them in their hearts . . . and they shall not teach 
every man his neighbor or his brother, saying : 
Know ye the Lord ; for all shall know me from 
the least to the greatest," all this will avail us 
nothing, unless we, on our part, make a corre- 
sponding covenant with Him. After Dr. T. closed, 
P. Hazard, S. Taylor and M. Beede each spoke in 
an appropriate manner, then Rebecca Updegraph 
offered supplication ; soon after which the meeting 
closed. At three o'clock, p.m., a meeting of the 
committee on Indian affairs was held, and was in- 
teresting. From the reading of reports made by 
the committee, it appears that Friends still feel a 
strong concern to do all they can to improve the 
condition of this much abused portion of the 
human family, and that much has already been 
done for their benefit by way of education. 

At six o'clock in the evening, the committee for 
" publishing and distributing books and tracts " 
had a meeting, and from their reports it appears 
much labor has been performed by them, and we 
have no reason to doubt that their efforts have 
been productive of good. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 85 

Fifth day morning, 4th inst. The meeting for 
Discipline assembled at eleven o'clock, and the 
large body of Friends soon became settled into 
orderly quiet. After a short time of silence our 
dear friend, Richard M. Thomas, pleaded in sup- 
plication on behalf of the large congregation now 
in audience, petitioning the great Head of the 
Church for His assistance and direction in trans- 
acting the various affairs of the Society that may 
come before them, that all may be done to His 
honor, and to the strengthening and building up of 
the cause of truth and righteousness in the earth. 

Elijah Coffin then proceeded to read the open- 
ing Minute of the meeting. Accounts from all 
the Quarterly Meetings, seventeen in number, 
were presented, and the names of the large num- 
ber of representatives were called, of whom all 
were present except eleven, for the absence of 
whom sickness was assigned as the cause. Cer- 
tificates of Friends in attendance from other 
Yearly Meetings were now presented and read, 
and a committee was appointed to prepare return- 
ing Minutes. The London General Epistle was 
next read, to the satisfaction and instruction of 
the meeting, and eight thousand copies directed 
to be printed and sent to subordinate meetings 
for distribution. 



86 REMINISCENCES OF 

Epistles from Friends, of Dublin, New England, 
and New York were also satisfactory. The meet- 
ing now having had a long session, it was thought 
best to defer reading the remainder of the Epistles 
from other Yearly Meetings until afternoon. At 
six o'clock in the evening the Committee on the 
subject of Education had a very interesting meet- 
ing, and from the Reports presented it appeared 
that Friends have exerted themselves very com- 
mendably for the promotion of this good cause. 
By statistical accounts it appeared that all the chil- 
dren within the limits of the Yearly Meeting are 
receiving, in some way, the means of obtaining an 
education. 

After the business of the meeting was accom- 
plished, several ministers addressed the congrega- 
tion, encouraging the committees still to persevere 
in the good cause in which they are engaged, and 
desiring their cooperation in the promotion and 
establishment of Bible Schools, that a knowledge 
of " the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make 
wise unto salvation through faith which is in 
Christ Jesus," may be early imprinted on the 
minds of the young. Had this been sufficiently 
the concern of Friends in years past, it is believed 
some of the divisions which have caused so much 
trouble in the Society might have been avoided. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 87 

Sixth day morning, 5 th inst. Assembled at the 
hour appointed, when M. H. Beede addressed the 
meeting in a short, but impressive manner, com- 
mencing with the words, " Without Me ye can do 
nothing/' Elijah Coffin was appointed Clerk, and 
Levi Jessup and Charles Coffin assistants. Epis- 
tles from other Yearly Meetings were read, com- 
mittees appointed, etc. 

The meeting now entered upon the considera- 
tion of the state of Society, by reading the queries 
and answers, which awakened in the minds of 
many a deep interest and lively concern for the 
promotion of truth, and a more unreserved dedi- 
cation of individual members of the Church to its 
cause. Many addressed us in a feeling manner, by 
way of counsel, instruction and persuasive admoni- 
tion. The query was impressively brought before 
us, whether we were living in obedience to the first 
and great command : " Thou shalt love the Lord 
thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul," etc. 
If it were so, we should not be likely to neglect the 
assembling of ourselves together for that worship 
which is ever His due. When this first command 
is obeyed, the observance of the second, that of 
love to our neighbor, would necessarily follow. 

Seventh day morning, sixth inst. The meeting 
again met, at the appointed hour, and resumed the 
transaction of business. In a very impressive 



88 REMINISCENCES OF 

manner, much salutary advice and brotherly admo- 
nition was imparted. The book and tract com- 
mittee presented their annual report, which was 
interesting and acceptable to Friends, who were 
encouraged to subscribe liberally for the promotion 
of this good cause. 

The committee appointed last year to take into 
consideration the subject of a request from several 
of the Quarterly Meetings in relation to the estab- 
lishment of a new Yearly Meeting, reported that 
they had attended to the subject of their appoint- 
ment, had visited the five Quarterly Meetings from 
which the request came, and that it was their 
opinion that it would be best to grant it. This 
was fully united with by the meeting, and it was 
decided that they should constitute a new Yearly 
Meeting, to be known by the name of the " West- 
ern Yearly Meeting," and that it should be held at 
Pleasant Plain, the first meeting to be held in 
Ninth month, 1858. The committee on corre- 
spondence was requested to insert a paragraph in 
each of their epistles to other Yearly Meetings, 
informing them of this matter, and requesting 
their judgment thereon. After discussing and 
disposing of various small matters, the meeting 
adjourned to ten o'clock next second day morning. 

On the seventh, at ten o'clock a.m., the meeting 
for worship convened, the house being filled to 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 89 

overflowing. Accommodations were made for a 
gathering in the yard, outside the house, where a 
very great multitude collected and sat down in a 
very quiet and orderly manner. They had an ex- 
cellent meeting, exceeding far the most sanguine 
expectations of those who introduced this novel 
plan. It was thought the number of persons out- 
side the house was greater than within, and in all 
there could not have been less than five or six 
thousand. In addition to those who came by pri- 
vate conveyance and otherwise from adjacent 
neighborhoods, forty cars came into the town Sab- 
bath morning from different places more remote, 
loaded with persons coming to attend the meeting. 
At three o'clock p.m. the meetings again assem- 
bled, the same as in the morning. There was also 
a meeting at New Garden, nine miles distant from 
this place, which was a part of the Yearly Meet- 
ing. Quite a number of ministers went there, 
and they had a large meeting also. The day, we 
believe, has been one of Divine visitation and 
favor to many hearts, a day whereon many were 
brought renewedly to see and realize that all out- 
ward forms and ceremonies are but vanity, and 
will prove entirely unavailing to any of us, and 
that without a thorough change of heart, with all 
the affections and lusts thereof, our righteousness 
will prove to be but as " filthy rags" 



90 REMINISCENCES OF 

Second day morning. Friends met at the hour 
adjourned to, and proceeded to business. Com- 
mittees on Education, on the African Concern, on 
Indian Affairs, Boarding Schools, Wright's Manual 
Labor School in Indiana, and another in Iowa, 
and a committee to collect subscriptions for fur- 
nishing the Boarding School, etc., all made reports, 
which were satisfactory ; after which the meeting 
adjourned until ten o'clock to-morrow morning. 

Third day morning, 9th inst. Friends met at 
the appointed hour. Several committees reported, 
and others were appointed to labor during the 
coming year in various ways. Also other business 
was done. The meeting having now disposed of 
the various concerns of the church which claimed 
its attention, — all having been transacted in great 
love and unity, — was about to come to a close, 
when the Women's Meeting informed us that our 
dear friend, Rebecca Updegraph, requested the 
partitions raised between men's and women's de- 
partments, which request was granted, and after a 
very solemn and impressive opportunity, in which 
we were very feelingly and affectionately addressed 
by several, Moses H. Beede offered prayer, and 
the meeting closed. 

The following letters written to Moses 
Bailey by his wife may be read with some 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 91 

interest, especially by some of her surviving 
friends. Hence we give them a place here. 

Winthrop, Ninth month, 9th, 1855. 
My Very Dear Husband : 

Not being able to attend meeting today, I take 
the opportunity to answer thy more than welcome 
letter. After waiting a week with the most intense 
anxiety, thy letter arrived last evening. I expect 
thou wilt feel quite as anxious before getting one 
from me, at this rate. Thee cannot imagine my 
feelings when Charles came home, and brought news 
of the fatal accident that thou mentioned in thy let- 
ter, fearing lest it might have been thy train. . . . 

C. arrived home on sixth day, and seventh day 
noon Uncle Chandler got his paper from New 
York, which gave a correct account of the sad 
accident, and relieved my feelings very much in- 
deed. I thought he was very kind. He said he 
did not stop to sit down in the house, after getting 
his paper, till he came up to read the account to 
me, supposing my anxiety to be very great. He 
said the relief to my feelings had well paid him for 
the trouble. I trust I shall ever remember his 
kindness with grateful feelings. 

I suppose thee, in the first place, would like to 
know about my health, which I am sorry to say is 
not much improved. Don't let this give thee any 



92 REMINISCENCES OF 

uneasiness, though, but trust in the Lord, who 
doeth all things well. He may see fit to try us in 
the furnace of affliction, but if we abide in Him, 
it will, I believe, only enable us to bring forth 
more fruit. I get along quite as well as I ex- 
pected to ; I have some trials, of course, but a 
firm sense and belief of its being right enables me 
to bear up under all these light afflictions 

I think I have been made willing, at times, not 
only to do, but to suffer all that may be the will of 
my Heavenly Father to permit 

Sister M. has been quite sick, is some better ; 
the rest are about as usual. Father Jones is rather 
feeble. He wished his love given to thee ; also M. 
P. said I must be sure to give thee her love, and 
to Uncle S. 

Thy truly devoted wife. 

Winthrop, Me., Ninth month, 14th, 1855. 
Ever Dear Husband : 

I received thy kind letter last evening, contain- 
ing a very interesting and cheering account of Ohio 
Yearly Meeting, but most of all to me was the 
account of thy good health. My health has im- 
proved some since I wrote thee. I have been able 
to attend our Quarterly Meeting, which occurred 
last fourth day, and also to entertain our company 
at home. We had a very good meeting* J. D. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 93 

prayed, and then addressed the meeting, commenc- 
ing with these words : u Well done, good and faith- 
ful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few 
things; I will make thee ruler over many things; 
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Brother 
Albert and Aunt L. M. went with me. 

How I miss thee when I have company ! I 
sometimes think of what the crazy man said: 
" Ten thousand all around one, and me, poor soul, 
all alone ! " I received a letter from H. B., stating 
that she expects to be married at the close of our 
next Monthly Meeting, and soliciting our kindness 
in entertaining them at that time, yet not wishing 
us to make more than our usual preparation, on 
any account. So thou sees there is a prospect of 
having a wedding here in thy absence. What 
think of that ? The weather here for a few days 
has been very pleasant. Sis. E. was in just now; 
says, ask thee if thee don't want to see her and 
C. ? Sister M. is still improving. The rest of our 
relatives are well as usual. 

From thy affectionate wife. 

Winthrop, Me., Ninth month, 30th, 1855. 
My Dear Absent Husband : 

It is with renewed courage that I employ my 
pen as a medium to converse a little with thee, 
knowing thou hast at last received some of my 



94 REMINISCENCES OF 

simple communications. Though simple, they are 
from an honest heart, and one, too, that sincerely 
loves thee, and feels that love daily increasing. 
How can it be otherwise, when I am so often 
reminded of thy kind regard for me ? It is more 
than I expected, or could even ask, knowing the 
limited time thou hast to write. For thee to make 
such a sacrifice for my sake, seems too much. I 
do not feel worthy of such kindness, but still, if 
thou knew the comfort I take in perusing thy let- 
ters, I believe thou would feel in a measure repaid 
for thy pains. And then, too, when I reflect upon 
it, my heart rejoices that thou wast made willing, 
under all existing circumstances, to leave thy home 
for no other cause than an apprehension that it 
was right, which is a very great support to me in 
my loneliness 

Third day morning, Tenth month, 2d. 
Thou said something about my going to New 
Hampshire, which I should like very much to do, 
but can see no possible way. Beside my every- 
day cares, which are not a few, I must get H. 
ready for school, and by the time I get her off to 
Providence, it will be time for thee to come home. 
How glad I shall be then ! But I would not 
hasten thy return until thou hast accomplished all 
that seems best, and can come bringing with thee 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 95 

the sheaves of peace I do indeed feel that 

I have thy sympathy in all my little trials, and I 
feel, too, like extending the same language to thee 
which thou wrote to me, " Be faithful.'' Yes, my 
dear, be faithful to all the little intimations of duty. 
This is what I have long desired, not only for 
myself, but for thee; and that we may be prepared 
for that mansion where trials are not known. . . . 

Do use every precaution to preserve thy health, 
and be assured I am with thee in mind, as thou 
travels from place to place, with desire that thou 
may be preserved from every harm. 

Thy truly affectionate wife. 

Winthrop, Me., Tenth month, 7th, 1855. 
My Very Precious Husband : 

Although it is now nine o'clock, and the rest 
of the family have retired, I do not feel that I can 
do so without first scribbling a little for thee. It 
seems so lonely here tonight, and my thoughts are 
so much with thee, my dear, that I do not think I 
could sleep if I should retire, and it may be that I 
shall feel better after chatting a little in this way. 
It does seem hard that letters do not go more di- 
rectly. I did not get thy last until ten days after 
it was written, and for some reason I do not know, 
they are longer going there. Those mailed at 
Salem, I received in four days. I can assure thee 



96 REMINISCENCES OF 

they are welcome messengers when they do come. 
I do not know what I should do if it were not for 
them, they are so cheering. 

When thou went away I looked for nothing but 
a lonesome, gloomy season until thy return, but 
how often has that been broken in upon by a 
kind, affectionate letter from thee, fraught with 
comforting words. O, how these have served to 
bind thee still closer to my heart, and to stamp 
impressions there which are indelible. 

Second day morning, 8th. 
A fine pleasant morning it is, the first for more 
than a week. We have had a long, warm storm. 
A great deal of rain has fallen, enough I should 
think to affect the rivers, and cause something of 
a freshet. Father just came along and asked if I 
were writing thee, and says, " I want a good deal 
of love given to M. Tell him I begin to feel lone- 
some without him. ,, If he feels lonesome, what 
think of me ? Finally, I don't want thee to think 
anything about it. I would not have thee feel the 
least anxiety about me or home, but enjoy what is 
bestowed on thee there, as well as thou can. I 
feel that I am cared for in thy absence by Him 
who hath all power in heaven and earth, and I 
think it must be for thy sake that it is so. I do 
not merit it. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 97 

Sixth day, the 12th. 

Since writing the above, I have received another 
letter from thee, stating that thou had been sick, 
which is a renewed cause of anxiety to me. I do 
hope thee will use every precaution to preserve 
thy health 

I begin to look forward now to the time of thy 
home-coming, with a great deal of anxiety. Hope 
I shall not get impatient. I have been very busy 
fixing H. for school. I was looking at thy picture 
yesterday, and H. came along and looked at it 
awhile, then said : " I did not think he was going 
to be gone so long ! " and the tears began to roll 
down her cheeks. No wonder if my eyes were a 

little wet, too I don't know as I need to 

say anything about my health so long as I am 
able to keep about. I have some days when I 

feel quite comfortable Now let me enjoin 

upon thee, once more, to be extremely careful of 
thyself, for my sake, if for no other. 

From thy loving wife. 

From Indiana, he and Samuel Taylor 
went to Baltimore, and attended the Yearly 
Meeting of Friends held there. While in 
Baltimore he wrote the following letter to 
his wife : 

7 



08 REMINISCENCES OF 

Baltimore, Tenth month, 23d, 1855. 
My Very Dear Wife: 

In that love which first united us together in 
the relationship which is the strongest and dearest 
that can be formed on earth, the bonds of which 
seem daily to increase and strengthen as time 
rolls on, I once more address a few lines to thee. 
Although I wrote thee a few days ago that I prob- 
ably should not write again until I returned home, 
yet feeling and believing that a simple scroll 
would be welcomed from me, I can hardly refrain, 
although I do not know that I have anything of 
importance to say. It may serve to break the spell 
of some long hour, to be reminded that thou art 
still remembered, and held increasingly dear to me. 

The Yearly Meeting at this place commenced 
last First day, the 21st inst. The meetings, 
both forenoon and afternoon, were very well at- 
tended. There are present several ministers from 
other Yearly Meetings, Rebecca Updegraph and 
Edith Griffith from Ohio, Elizabeth Gifford from 
Cape Cod, Massachusetts, accompanied by David 
K. Aiken and wife, also our friend S. Taylor, — 
all of whom had considerable service in either the 
forenoon or afternoon meetings. 

At seven o'clock in the evening, our friends 
Edith Griffith and S. Taylor had an appointed 
meeting, which was fully attended. They were 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 99 

largely engaged in endeavoring, in gospel love, to 
warn the people of the danger of going on in a 
state of alienation from God, living day after day 
forgetful and unconcerned about the welfare of the 
immortal soul, and they impressed upon their 
minds the necessity of being born of that incor- 
ruptible seed, the Word of God, in order to have 
any reason to hope for a happy immortality. 

On second day, the meeting for business com- 
menced, which was very small, looking more like 
our usual First day meeting, than a Yearly Meet- 
ing. I think there are not more than fifty or sixty 
in the men's apartment. This is a great contrast 
to the Yearly Meeting we have just attended at 
Indiana. The business is progressing very har- 
moniously. They will probably get through by 
fifth or sixth day. After that we shall go to Phil- 
adelphia, where Samuel thinks he must spend next 
First day ; then, if nothing prevents, we shall start 
for home. I am hoping we shall reach there next 
third day evening. 

Our friend, Alton Pope, came in here last even- 
ing, on his way to Marietta, Ohio, where he has 
some prospect of business. He will stop to attend 
the remaining sessions of the meeting. My health 
is very good ; Samuel is also well ; he sends love 

to thee. 

Farewell, dear wife, 

Thine truly. 



100 REMINISCENCES OF 

We think Moses Bailey returned home 
about the first of Eleventh month, and no 
doubt was very glad to do so. To him 
there was " no place like home/' and he was 
always more pleased to return to, than to go 
away from, it. He was always more disap- 
pointed if prevented from returning home at 
the time expected, than when hindered from 
leaving it at any appointed moment. 

In the summer of 1856, he built a new 
residence for himself, to which . we have 
previously referred. The care and over- 
sight of this, in addition to his other secu- 
lar business, engaged his time and thoughts 
very closely for several months. The house 
was completed, and he with his family com- 
menced occupying it late in the fall of that 
year, but nothing of special note appears 
to have occurred concerning them, till the 
autumn of the next year, when the sudden 
death of his brother Albert was a bereave- 
ment to the family never to be forgotten. 
He died at Winthrop, on the sixth day of 
Tenth month, 1856, after a short illness, of 
typhoid fever. He left a young wife and 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 101 

one child, a daughter in infancy, too young 
to remember her affectionate father, and a 
laro;e circle of relatives and friends, to mourn 
his loss, some of whom have never ceased to 
mourn. 

Another very severe blow came to the 
family in 1858, in the sudden decease of 
his eldest brother, Dr. Daniel R. Bailey. 
While he was visiting, with his wife, some 
of her friends in Massachusetts, he was 
stricken down with sickness, which in a few 
days proved fatal. His friends and relatives 
at Winthrop did not learn of his illness in 
time to visit him before his death. Moses 
Bailey, as soon he heard of this sickness, 
took his brother D.'s little daughter H., and 
started at once to visit him. On arriving at 
Lynn, Massachusetts, they were told the sad 
news that the train on which they came had 
passed another train, bearing back to his 
former home the mortal remains of Dr. 
Bailey. They at once returned with heavy 
hearts, to bury forever out of their sight the 
form of him who had been so dear to them 
in life, and from whom they had so recently 



102 REMINISCENCES OF 

parted in usual health. We have heard 
him speak many times of this bereavement 
with expressions of deepest sorrow. 

Dr. Bailey left a beloved wife, and four 
orphan children whose first mother had died 
some years previous. Moses Bailey took 
the eldest daughter and youngest son into 
his family, while his brother, C. M. Bailey, 
assumed the care of the two remaining chil- 
dren, a son and a daughter. The latter 
died in childhood, while attending Oak 
Grove school, at Vassalboro. The first two 
named, whose education and training Moses 
Bailey had assumed, lived with him and his 
wife until they married and settled in homes 
of their own. The daughter married L. D. 
Farr, a noble Christian gentleman of marked 
ability, who then resided in Manchester, 
Maine, but who soon after with his family 
removed to New Jersey. They and their 
children were always very dear to Moses 
Bailey. L. D. F. survived his dear uncle 
only seven months, dying triumphantly in 
the First month of the year 1883, aged 
about forty-eight years, greatly beloved and 
mourned by many. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 103 



CHAPTER IV. 

BUSINESS CARES VARIOUS MATTERS — SICK- 
NESS AND DEATH OF HIS WIFE. 

During the few years following the inci- 
dents recorded in the previous chapter, 
nothing of special interest occurred, par- 
ticularly affecting the lives or circumstances 
of Moses Bailey or his family circle. He 
seems to have applied himself very closely 
and diligently to business during this pe- 
riod. His dear wife not being strong 
enough to go much away from home, we 
find them for several years there, with the 
exception of frequently going to attend re- 
ligious meetings or to accomplish some du- 
ties placed upon them by appointment of 
the Church. They annually attended the 
Yearly Meeting of New England, then 
always held at Newport, and generally went 
as delegates or representatives from their 



104 REMINISCENCES OF 

own home Quarterly Meeting. They were 
both members of the Board of Managers of 
Oak Grove Boarding School, at Vassalboro, 
from the time of its first organization, and 
for many years were deeply interested in 
that Institution, often visiting the school, 
and freely using their time and means for 
its success and advancement. 

They sometimes visited friends and rela- 
tives in different parts of New England, 
but on one occasion only do we hear of 
their going outside of its limits, during a 
period of nine years, at which time they 
went, in company with some relatives, to 
New York and Philadelphia, on an exclu- 
sively pleasure tour. 

They were both very hospitable in their 
feelings, and we have heard many speak of 
the " ever welcome " they found, and what 
happy visits they had enjoyed in their 
genial home. He and his wife always 
entertained a great deal of company, and 
generally enjoyed doing so more than vis- 
iting away from home, although they loved 
to mingle with their friends and relatives in 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 105 

their several abodes when health and cir- 
cumstances made it practicable. 

On the evening of the twenty-fifth of 
Eleventh month, 1865, a large number of 
guests met at the home of Moses Bailey and 
his beloved wife, to celebrate the twenty-fifth 
anniversary of their marriage. Tokens of 
love and congratulation were given them, ap- 
propriate speeches and remarks were made, 
and a happy, social time enjoyed by all. 

His wife was even at this time in a fee- 
ble state of health, having a cough, and 
being somewhat debilitated, but, we think, 
not specially alarmed about it. During 
the following year (1866) her cough in- 
creased, and other symptoms of a decline 
seized upon her, which caused her devoted 
husband to feel the most intense anxiety on 
her account. Their very lives were knit to- 
gether by the strongest ties of conjugal af- 
fection, which had been deepening during 
every one of all these years that they had 
lived together in the utmost harmony, shar- 
ing each others joys and sorrows, each an- 
ticipating the other's welfare with unselfish 



106 REMINISCENCES OF 

care and pleasure, ever manifesting feelings 
of intense interest for the promotion of each 
other's happiness and comfort in every re- 
spect. They had together planned to get a 
home and means of support, not only for 
themselves, but also to share with those 
whose efforts were less successful in this re- 
spect than theirs. This they delighted to 
do, as many can testify. They had been 
together in sickness and in health, had re- 
joiced together in prosperity, and sympa- 
thized with each other in adversity. Their 
interests had been one and the same. 

We have heard Moses Bailey say that 
during this year, when he almost constantly 
feared and realized that " the silver cord " 
was loosening, and he soon must be be- 
reaved of her who was dearer to him than 
life itself, he passed through a struggle that 
seemed worse than to give up his own life, 
if that sacrifice might be accepted instead. 

The writer of these pages, and some of 
those who read them, can fully sympathize 
in this feeling, having themselves drunk the 
bitter cup to its very dregs, but the " Ever- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 107 

lasting arms " have been underneath, and 
wonderfully supported in the midst of the 
sorest bereavement. 

When those whom we love dearer than 
life, and to whom we look for counsel in all 
cases where superior wisdom is needed, and 
for comfort and sympathy in every trial and 
perplexity, are taken from us by death, 
when every hope pertaining to earth seems 
crushed and buried in the grave with them, 
and our hearts rent asunder, then it is that 
the Christian's hope only can sustain the 
soul and keep it from despair. It is then 
precious to know "whom we believe, and 
that He is able to keep that," and those so 
dear to us, whom we have committed to His 
care, not in life only, but also in death, 
knowing that He will keep them until the 
day when we shall be re-united in His glo- 
rious Kingdom, if we follow them as they 
followed Christ. "Blessed are the dead who 
die in the Lord," — the Lord, who can fill 
the aching void in the heart with His own 
sweet love, which surpasses all other loves. 

We often, and almost invariably, when 



108 REMINISCENCES OF 

conversing with newly bereaved ones, find 
them longing to know whether they will rec- 
ognize their loved ones in heaven. The fol- 
lowing, once written in our album by him 
who is the subject of this biography, is to 
us a cheering answer : 

SHALL WE KNOW EACH OTHER IN HEAVEN ? 

Most surely on that blissful shore will immortal 
spirits not only recognize the familiar forms they 
knew on earth, but far more intimately will they 
know each other, because there will be no veil of 
flesh to intercept or mar the perfect vision of the 
soul. 

These lines have been a source of great 
comfort to us, and the sentiment of them we 
fully indorse, and think we have sufficient 
proof in the Bible, and also in the experi- 
ences of life, to encourage us in believing 
them. 

We call to mind, just here, some lines 
which were written several years since, by a 
school teacher in a rural town in the State 
of New York, and at a time when the war of 
the Rebellion was raging. A very prom- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 109 

ising young man living in the neighbor- 
hood, had gone to a distant part of the 
country, where he was suddenly attacked 
with a disease which proved fatal. As soon 
as the teacher learned that his mother had 
received a telegram informing her of his 
death, she at once went to offer sympathy, 
and do anything possible to comfort her. 
When the stricken one saw her, she at once 
came forward, and in her agony of grief 
threw her arms around her, and said : " O, 
tell me! shall we know each other there? 
O, shall I see and recognize my darling 
child when we meet in heaven ? " 

Soon afterward the teacher wrote these 
lines for the mother, and thinking that pos- 
sibly some bereaved one may enjoy the most 
prominent thought embodied in them, as 
this mother did up to the time of her death, 
which occurred soon afterward, we venture 
to place them here. 

SHALL WE KNOW EACH OTHER THERE? 

There, where sorrow shall be no more, 
There, where all wicked strife is o'er, 
Where cruel death can no more pari 



110 REMINISCENCES OF 

The friends here sweetly bound in heart, 
Where we shall feel no sin nor care ; 
O, u sh^ll we know each other there ? " 

There, where our Saviour-God doth live, 
Our happy spirits to receive, 
Where we may be with them for aye, 
And joy through one eternal day, 
When passed into that realm so fair, 
Say ! " shall we know each other there ? " 

Where happy angels clothed in white, 
Do dwell in everlasting light, 
And sing the praise of Him who died, 
The Lamb of God, the Crucified ! 
Where all bright crowns of glory wear, 
Then,, " shall we know each other there ? " 

Yes ! if our sins are all forgiven, 

And we do meet at last in heaven, 

We'll walk the city's golden street, 

And all God's holy ones will greet ; 

A palm of victory each will bear, 

And friends will " know each other there." 

Our joys begun — our troubles past ; 
Our bliss will then forever last ; 
We shall see war and strife no more, 
For all is peace on Canaan's shore. 
But most of all will joy appear 
When we do greet our loved ones there. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. Ill 

In the summer of 1866 Moses Bailey's in- 
valid wife, accompanied by her youngest sis- 
ter, went to the seashore, on Cape Elizabeth, 
hoping to receive benefit from the sea air. 
She remained there several weeks, either her 
husband or one of her sisters being with 
her all of the time. She seemed at times 
to be really gaining strength and feeling 
better, apparently benefited by the bracing 
air and change of scene. Being too weak 
to walk much, her husband sent their horses 
and carriage for her use, in order that she 
might ride out in the open air as much 
as possible. It was probably while there 
that she wrote the following essay on the 
11 Mysteries of Life," which we have found 
among her letters and other writings. It 
is in her own handwriting, and without 
quotation marks. We believe it to be orig- 
inal, but whether it is or not, doubtless the 
sentiments here expressed coincided with 
her own. They were written at a time 
when her health was declining, and she was 
aware of the uncertainty of recovery, and 
perhaps anticipated the possibility of long 
and tedious suffering. 



112 REMINISCENCES OF 

MYSTERIES OF LIFE. 

The life of man, fleeting and transitory as it is, 
ever seems shrouded in the deepest and most pro- 
found mystery. There is a dim cloud hanging 
over us, veiling in obscurity and oblivion the se- 
cret recesses and hidden springs, the aims and 
purposes of the human heart. We look around, 
above, and beneath ; we scan the varied surround- 
ings of our nature, glance from the blue, ethereal 
heavens, spread like a mantle over our heads, to 
the calm, green earth sleeping at our feet, and 
again and again does the question suggest itself to 
our minds, — Who is it that hath formed man in 
such marvelous wisdom, and why hath He placed 
him here ? We see him in imagination, advancing 
step by step from the cradle to the grave ; we be- 
hold the gradual unfolding of dormant powers ; 
we see the intellect expanding, mighty in its influ- 
ence, gigantic in its strength, extending its power 
over the destinies of nations, guiding and direct- 
ing the current of life in all its different phases 
and aspects ; and then, again, the bright light that 
has shed its luster over all around, becomes grad- 
ually dimmer, and more dim, until at last its bright 
radiance is forever extinguished in the silent tomb, 
and yet not totally extinguished, for the bright 
halo of departed greatness will linger as the rays 
of the setting sun, when the source from which 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 113 

they emanate has sunk beneath the horizon. 
Though untold their influence thus becomes, we 
still ask : Why is it we are permitted to swell the 
mighty tide that is surging on and on toward the 
boundless ocean of eternity ? 

Everything around us speaks of change and de- 
cay; everything conspires to teach us that on 
earth there is nothing stable, nothing abiding, that 
the joys which cheer our pathway, and the hopes 
which gild the future, are alike fleeting. 

In the darkness and gloom in which these re- 
flections must necessarily cloud our minds, where 
shall we look for light, strength, and direction ? 
Philosophers may reason on the laws of our being, 
may search out the untold secrets of the Creator, 
span the heavens, and mark each planet's place, 
and trace its direction through the boundless 
realms of space ; theologians may discourse elo- 
quently on the duties devolving upon us, and the 
manner in which they should be discharged, the 
vices we should shun, and the virtues in which we 
should aim to excel, but may not lift the veil 
which shrouds our daily life ; they may not look 
into the recesses of the unknown future. Nor 
does human science or human philosophy serve to 
sweeten the bitter cup we are sometimes called 
upon to drink. They render not the thorny way 
more smooth, or the crooked way more straight ; 



114 REMINISCENCES OF 

they possess no charm to cheer the drooping 
heart, no panacea for the agony of grief. 

As thus we grope our way along, as a child in 
the darkness, finding nothing on which we may 
lean, no ray of comfort nor of light to guide us in 
our gloomy pathway, — for at times everything 
seems gloomy to our weary hearts, — we are 
almost ready to believe that there is no rest for 
the weary one, no cessation from the routine of 
daily duties and cares devolving upon us ; but as 
we turn satiated, and in disgust, from all things 
human, as we become fully convinced of the fal- 
lacy of earthly wisdom, and turn once more to the 
quiet of our own hearts for counsel and direction, 
a still, small voice within gently whispers of rest 
and peace hereafter, of a God whose " hand is not 
shortened that it cannot save, neither is His ear 
heavy that it cannot hear. ,, And what though we 
may not be able to fathom the mighty workings of 
the mind that animates and governs our bodies, 
though we may not be able to trace its onward 
progress and its upward flight, though we are not 
able to look into futurity, nor follow the course of 
events in life, without being lost in wonder and 
awe, yet with the assurance we have of a brighter 
and better world to come, we can look beyond all 
earthly objects, and place our trust in God, know- 
ing that " now we see through a glass darkly, but 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 115 

then face to face," and "know even as we are 
known." 

On returning from Cape Elizabeth, it was 
hoped by her husband and friends that she 
was convalescent, as she seemed to have 
gained a little strength at least, but time 
soon proved that the change had effected 
no lasting benefit, and that she w r as now 
in a permanent decline with pulmonary 
consumption. 

During the early part of the winter she 
suffered greatly at times, and gradually 
failed. Near the beginning of the year 
1867 she became so weak as to keep her 
bed entirely, and never again rallied. We 
once heard it remarked by a person who had 
partially the care of her, that they had never 
seen more agony depicted on a human coun- 
tenance, than her husband manifested on 
the first day that she was unable to leave 
her bed. 

We have heard that it was a hard struggle 
for her to become resigned to leave her 
earthly friends, especially her husband, but 
that, after struggling with the fact for several 



116 REMINISCENCES OF 

days subsequent to the discovery that she 
must leave them, she was enabled, through 
grace, to gain the victory over death, the 
conquest over sin having been long ago ob- 
tained, and to come out of the furnace a 
triumphant conqueror, through Him who 
had loved her, and borne her sins "in His 
own body on the tree" that she might in- 
herit a mansion in that world where sickness 
and death are unknown, and the painful 
partings of loved ones never more can mar 
their fruition of joy. 

After this fierce struggle with the flesh, 
she was, in mercy and by God's grace, taken 
from the fiery furnace through which she 
had been permitted to pass — supported, we 
doubt not, by the presence of the Son of 
God — and came out unscathed, and was 
ever after calm, resigned, leaning confidently 
on His almighty arm, trusting implicitly His 
precious promise to her and all His chil- 
dren: — "When thou passest through the 
waters, I will be with thee; and through the 
rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when 
thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 117 

not be burned, neither shall the flames kin- 
dle upon thee." 

We have been told that she was indeed 
an humble follower of Christ through all 
her Christian life, always gentle and unas- 
suming, kind and careful of the feelings 
of others, not ostentatious, never exacting, 
when in health. 

In observing the lives of the apostles and 
eminent Christians, we find that humility 
before God was with them a prominent char- 
acteristic. How often do we hear persons 
of the present day, eminent for their piety, 
say, as did this sister in one of her letters — 
here recorded — how unworthy they are of 
the le^st of God's blessings, considering 
themselves unprofitable servants of their 
Lord and Master. Even the apostle Paul 
on one occasion declared himself to be "the 
least of the apostles" and "not meet to be 
called an apostle." He humbled himself, 
but God exalted him, and empowered him to 
work miracles and accomplish a mighty 
work in the establishment of the gospel, and 
in the salvation of men, for which he was 



118 REMINISCENCES OF 

subsequently honored as the "chief of the 
apostles." His epistles have been the means 
of the conversion of multitudes, and of the 
strengthening and encouraging Christian 
believers ever since his time, and will con- 
tinue thus to be to the end of time. 

The works of a faithful Christian never 
cease with his life in this world, but his in- 
fluence, through his spoken words, and es- 
pecially through his writings, may continue 
to do good long after his spirit has gone to 
its reward. So, on the other hand, the 
works of a wicked man continue to produce 
evil after his death. If the writings of Vol- 
taire, Paine, and other noted infidels, could 
have perished with their bodies, how much 
less ruin would have been wrought. Paine, 
when in the agonies of death, it is said, ex- 
pressed a wish that all his books had been 
consumed by fire; and better would it have 
been for him and the world, if his wish 
could have been granted. 

We should "shun evil communications" 
yet we are not to isolate ourselves from man- 
kind like the hermit or monk, nor stand 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 119 

aloof, Pharisee-like, from sinners, contemptu- 
ously saying, "Stand by thyself, for I am ho- 
lier than thou." Christ is our example ; it 
was a true accusation against Him: "He re- 
ceiveth sinners and eateth with them," and 
"Behold, he hath gone to be guest with a 
man who is a sinner." Our Lord prayed for 
his disciples, not that they might be taken 
out of the world, but "that they might be 
kept from the evil." While it is right for 
believers to be in the world, and among the 
ungodly, they are not to be partakers with 
them in their evil deeds. As "the salt of 
the earth," it is required that they have a 
saving influence, "as the light of the world," 
that they shine amid its darkness, that others 
seeing their "good works" may be led to 
glorify their Father who is in Heaven. 

A Christian is not permitted to make any 
compromise with sin. There must be a 
coming out and separation, as a condition 
of acceptance as the sons and daughters 
of the Lord Almighty, for "what fellowship 
hath righteousness with unrighteously 
What communion hath light with darkness : 



120 REMINISCENCES OF 

Or, what agreement hath the temple of God 
with idols ?" 

The virtuous and godly have been chosen 
out from the world, and are, therefore, not of 
the world, even as Christ was not of the 
world. Hence, there is an antagonism be- 
tween the two — the Church and the world. 
We ought, however, to feel an interest in 
the salvation and spiritual welfare of every 
one, for all are alike precious in the sight 
of their Creator; but while we love the 
sinner, we must hate their sins. 

During the sickness of B. J. Bailey, and 
especially after she realized that she must 
die, her solicitude for her husband was very 
great. We have heard him say that often 
when he was alone with her, she spoke of 
the prospect of soon having to leave him, 
and that in all probability he would have 
many lonely hours, and said she did not wish 
him to yield to feelings of discouragement, 
but avail himself of every possible opportu- 
nity to get comfort and happiness out of life, 
until the time when he too would be freed 
from the shackles of clay, and be permitted 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 121 

to join her in their Father's house above, 
and forever rest with the Lord. 

The last days of her life were fraught 
with much suffering, which was borne with 
patience and Christian fortitude. Her hus- 
band took the entire care of her every night 
during her sickness, resting only at short in- 
tervals, until the last one previous to her 
death, when it was thought best to have 
other watchers also, as it was feared she 
might not survive until morning. On the 
morning of the twenty-first of Third month, 
1867, it was found that the stern messenger 
had arrived, and would soon release her 
waiting spirit from its frail tabernacle. 

About an hour before she passed away, 
she said to her sister-in-law: "If you think I 
am dying, I want you all to keep away from 
me." It seemed as if she wanted to be 
alone with God, and have no demonstrations 
of grief to call out her sympathies for the 
living, while she committed her soul to the 
faithful creator, who had been her comforter 
in life, was now her support in death, and 
would hereafter be her portion forever. 



122 REMINISCENCES OF 

A short time before noon she passed away, 
and as her husband saw that she was gone, 
he calmly said: "Asleep in Jesus! yes, 
asleep in Jesus ! " and retired from the room 
to meditate, and talk with his God. While 
thus meditating he wrote the following in 
his diary, which we copy: 

Among the rich earthly blessings which Thou 
hast conferred upon me, yea, the very choicest of 
them all, do I count it that Thou didst in my 
youthful days give me the dear loved one Thou 
hast just taken from me, and that we were permit- 
ted in the very morning of our life to unite our- 
selves in the bonds of wedded love. Not only 
were our hands united, but our hearts and very 
souls, O God, Thou knowest ! And thus we 
were permitted to live many years in sweet unity, 
harmony, and love; and as year by year rolled 
away, with each succeeding day of our life, there 
were added fresh cords and new ties to our union, 
until our souls had become knit and interwoven in 
a web that nothing of earth could ever separate. 
Naught but Thyself alone, who witnessed all the 
fastenings of those tender ties, could ever rend us 
in twain. This union Thou didst not only permit, 
but I believe Thy approving smile did ever rest 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 123 

upon it. For this great blessing, and for each of 
Thy blessings, all of which are unmerited, I would 
now render unto Thee the tribute of thanksgiving 
and heartfelt praise. But while we were the 
recipients of so many favors, and did joyfully 
receive them, I now have to acknowledge, with 
blushing and humility of soul, that I have been 
too forgetful of Thee, the great Source, Foun- 
tain, and Giver of them all. For this forgetful- 
ness and for this remissness in giving Thee all 
the praise, I would now most earnestly ask Thy 
forgiveness. And now, O God, Thou hast seen 
meet, in the ordering of Thy providence, to take 
home to Thyself, this my nearest, dearest, earthly 
treasure. While she lived, and I was permitted to 
sit beside her suffering, dying couch, and watch 
the flickering lamp of life, as day by day it became 
dim, and yet more dim in burning, Thou God only 
knowest how earnestly I did pray that, if it were 
possible, the bitter cup of separation, which was 
daily being brought nearer to our lips, might pass 
from us, and Thy blessed will be accomplished, 
that we might be spared the bitter draught. Such 
was not in accordance with Thy good pleasure, and 
now that Thou hast been pleased to sever this ten- 
der tie, Thou God only canst know the depth 
of the wound, and the intense keenness of the 
pang, that this severance has caused my poor lac- 



124 REMINISCENCES OF 

erated heart. Who now shall bind up this broken, 
bleeding heart? Dear relatives and kind friends 
are willing and anxious to do all in their power to 
alleviate and console ; and this is indeed a great 
blessing and favor, for which I am under the great- 
est obligation, to render unto Thee eternal thanks- 
giving and praise for Thy goodness and mercy in 
giving me such dear and sympathizing friends. 
But ah ! their power is very limited ; when they 
have done all they can do, they cannot reach the 
case, but can only point to a source of consola- 
tion above and beyond all human aid, and that 
power is vested in Thyself alone. Therefore unto 
Thee, O God, do I come, and ask of Thee so to 
pour out Thy grace divine upon my soul, that I 
may not only submissively, but resignedly, and in 
humble acquiescence, bow to Thy holy will, and 
be enabled to say now, in the very furnace of af- 
fliction, Thou doest all things well. And, O God, 
enable me so to live the few remaining days that 
may be allotted me here on earth, so to walk in 
Thy fear, and act in Thy counsel, and to so expe- 
rience the atoning blood of a crucified Saviour ap- 
plied to my soul, that when I also shall lay aside 
this earthly frame I may be permitted to go where 
she, my sainted wife, has gone, and is forever at 
rest in the arms of our loving Saviour. There 
may we be reunited on those blissful shores, where 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 125 

parting never more can come, and join our voices 
with the redeemed ones in heaven, in ascribing 
unto Thee, O God our Creator, and to Jesus 
Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer, thanksgiving 
and praise, honor and glory, throughout the count- 
less ages of a never-ending eternity. These fa- 
vors, O God, I would ask, not that I am worthy to 
receive them, not that I have done aught, or ever 
can do aught, to merit them, but for Jesus' sake. 

On the next day after the death of his 
wife he wrote : 

Afflictions often seem severe, 
Yet they 're in mercy sent 
To check us in sin's vile career, 
And draw our souls to Jesus near, 
And cause us to repent. 

I do desire that I may so receive them, and 
that such may be their effect upon me. 

The funeral services of B. J. B. were 
held in the Friends' Meeting House, near 
her late residence. We have been told that 
they were very impressive, and that the pro- 
cession of mourning friends and relatives 
which followed her remains to the grave 



126 REMINISCENCES OF 

was the longest that had ever been at a fun- 
eral in Baileyville. The body was inclosed 
in a rosewood casket, on which was a plain 
silver plate containing her name, age, and 
the date of her death. She was laid to rest 
in the Friends' " Lakeview Cemetery " at 
Baileyville, in Winthrop. 

The following notice was subsequently 
published in the " Friends' Review " : 

Died in Winthrop, on the twenty-first of Third 
month, 1867, Betsie J., wife of Moses Bailey, in 
her fifty-third year ; a member of Litchfield 
Monthly Meeting of Friends, Maine. She was an 
exemplary Friend, deservedly esteemed and be- 
loved. Unassuming in her character, she won the 
affections of the poor, the sick, and the afflicted, 
by gentle deeds of kindness, Christian cheer- 
fulness, and tender sympathy. She bore a pro- 
tracted and distressing sickness with patient 
resignation, and closed her life in peace. We 
cannot doubt her purified spirit is forever at rest 
with the Lord. 

Her husband caused a lot to be inclosed 
with granite curbing, and placed a plain, 
neat marble headstone at the grave, contain- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 127 

ing the following inscription, original with 
himself : 

Betsie J. Bailey. 

Died Third month, 21st, 1867. 

Aged 52 years, 5 months, 13 days. 

It is finished, the conflict is o'er, 

The pure, gentle spirit has fled,' 

And the casket that held it 's no more, 

For all that was mortal is dead. 

But thy sanctified soul has ascended on high, 

To regions all glorious and fair. 

Though veiled from our vision, we feel thou 

art nigh, 
And calling on us to come there. 

The stone has since been removed, and a 
plain granite family monument erected, with 
the same inscription placed on the side 
toward her grave, which is marked by a 
small block-like stone containing her initials. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 129 



CHAPTER V. 

LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE BIBLE SCHOOL SU- 
PERINTENDENT DEATH OF HIS NEPHEW. 

The following interesting letter, written 
by our dear friend Sybil Jones to B. J. B., 
was probably received by Moses Bailey on 
the day of his wife's funeral. 

Dirigo, Third month, 20th, 1867. 
My Dear Sister : 

As a personal interview is denied, as far as I 
can now see, I must resort to the silent language 
of the pen, to salute thee, precious one, in the love 
and fellowship of the Lord Jesus, whom we have 
long loved, and at whose feet, in past hours, we 
have been graciously refreshed, not only with the 
heavenly whispers of His love, but also fed with 
the bread which Himself hath blest and broken, 
and handed to His disciples to feed the multitude. 
Should we meet no more in the body, at the sweet 
and sacred place of prayer, we still 

" Can hold communion sweet, o'er the dark and dis- 
tant sea, 



130 REMINISCENCES OF 

But higher shall our raptures glow on yon celestial 

plain, 
When the loved and parted here below meet ne'er to 

part again." 

I have not given thee up, dear sister, to die so 
soon, for I had hoped the Church would yet more 
abundantly be blest through thy instrumentality, 
though thy opinion of thyself is so humiliating 
and discouraging to thee. It is well to understand 
that without some grace we are only the poor life- 
less clay, but in the hands of Christ, and clothed 
with His virtue, which He fully and copiously dis- 
penses to the most needy, His disciples are able 
to work the work of Him that sent them in the 
fulness of the blessing of His power and love. 
" Without Me ye can do nothing," but with Him, 
all things that He requires. I feel that I must 
plead that thy precious life may be spared, if it 
may be the blessed will of our merciful Saviour, 
who can raise us up even from the " border-land," 
if He pleases. Let a faith and love inspire us 
that will draw forth the utterance : 

" Had I a thousand lives to live, 
Lord they should all be thine." 

If I can do but little for* Thee, yet let me live 
to work for Thee "all the days of my appointed 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 131 

time, till my change come." Then what a 
change from weariness, toil, and conflict, to the 
fair regions of righteousness and peace ! 

I trust thou art only waiting the blessed will of 
Him whom thy soul loveth, either life or death. 
We remember, when we think of thee, the beauti- 
ful testimony, " to live is Christ, to die is gain." I 
fear I am selfish in wishing thy longer stay in the 
land of shadows, but I would not hold thee, 
precious one, from thy mansion, thy robe, thy 
crown, and the celestial song. If it be the Lord's 
time, go, willing spirit, to join the ransomed 
around the throne ! But must I see thee no 
more ? It is hard to spare thee from my small list 
of dearest friends. Thou hast often cheered my 
heart with thy sweet smile of love and friendship. 
Shall I witness it no more below, and must I go 
on without thy prayers and love ? We shall miss 
thee in the house of prayer and in thy earthly 
home, shouldst thou be called thus early above, 
but if it should be thus ordered, we will try to 
bless Thy holy name, O God, while our best are 
lamented. 

We have an eternity to spend together, and life, 
at the longest, is but a breath. Will thou breathe 
a prayer for us, that the Mighty God, even the 
Lord, will not only " keep our feet from falling/ 1 
but give us the power of His spirit, to preach the 



132 REMINISCENCES OF 

unsearchable riches of Christ effectually, and thus 
many poor wanderers hear the call, and come to 
the fountain of salvation. Oh ! " pray for us, that 
the word of the Lord may have free course, and be 
glorified." 

My husband joins me in much love to thee, 
sweet, precious sister, and thy dear sorrowing hus- 
band. God help you ! And whatever time the one 
may be called before the other, I humbly and un- 
doubtingly trust you will meet again where adieus 
are a sound unknown, and forever and ever rejoice 
in redeeming love through the blood of the Lamb, 
who hath washed us and made us meet for the 
bliss of heaven. Fare thee right well forever. 
Thy loving and faithful friend, 

Sybil Jones. 

From many similar letters we select one, 
marked by kind sympathy, to exemplify how 
much the departed one was esteemed and 
appreciated by her young friends. 

96 Washington St., Boston, 

Third month, 26th ; 1867. 
My Dear Friend Moses Bailey : 

I received on sixth day, a telegram giving the 
sad intelligence of thy bereavement, and of our 
great loss. Nothing but a positive promise to be 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 133 

out of town, with no time to change or arrange, 
could have prevented me from taking a journey to 
Winthrop, that I might there manifest my respect 
and love for the dear departed Betsie. A life so 
blameless, so entirely faithful to its convictions, is 
rare. 

For want of experience in this affliction of thine, 
and because language is inadequate, I cannot hope 
to offer consolation, but only to mingle my grief 
with thine. I have long felt that I had no truer 
personal friend ; and that steady, true and change- 
less friendship, blessed ail who sat by her fireside, 
or mingled in that social circle, of which she was 
one of the joyous lights. 

Her life was a holy psalm — a canticle of love. 
Example taught in her the beauty and endowment 
of grace divine. She said little of all she felt, but 
the inward life was written in her face, and found 
expression in every act. I little thought when in 
joyous mood I parted with the dear friend of my 
childhood, it would be the last visit on earth. It 
is only another solemn reminder, that "no man 
knoweth the day nor the hour." 

The dear memory of that blameless life, of that 
soul, spotless and sanctified through faith in the 
Son of God, will serve to give, I trust, moral and 
spiritual courage, to us all, to act our part in life, as 
she did. I shall, with my Heavenly Father's as- 



134 REMINISCENCES OF 

sistance, never forget her many admonitions to 
duty, and that gentle, persuasive tone. She truly 
walked an angel here. 

" Aye, the spring will return, but the blossom 

That bloomed in our presence the sweetest, 
By the Spoiler is borne from the cherishing bosom, 

The loveliest of all, and the fleetest. 
The music of stream and of bird 

Shall come back when the winter is o'er, 
But the voice that was dearest to us shall be heard 

In our desolate chambers no more. 

" As the bird to its sheltering nest, 

When the storm on the hills is abroad, 
So her spirit has flown from this world of unrest 

To repose on the bosom of God, 
Where the sorrows of earth never more 

May fling o'er its brightness a stain, 
When in rapture and love it shall ever adore 

With a gladness unmingled with pain, 
And its thirst shall be slaked by the waters which 

spring 
Like a river of light, from the throne of the King. 

" There is weeping on earth for the lost ! 
There is bowing in grief to the ground ! 
But rejoicing and praise 'mid the sanctified host, 
For a spirit in paradise found ! 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 135 

Though brightness hath passed from the earth, 

Yet a star is new-born in the sky, 
And a soul hath gone home to the land of its birth, 

Where are pleasures and fulness of joy, 
And a new harp is strung, and a new song is given 
To the breezes that float o'er the gardens of heaven. ,, 

Hoping thou may be blest by this providence, 
I am 

Truly thy friend, 

Augustine Jones. 

The following letter will manifest the 
high estimation in which she was held by 
her older friends and acquaintances. 

Vassalboro, Second month, 15th, 1868. 
My Dear Friend Moses Bailey : 

Our Quarterly Meeting is now over, and some 
friends attending it informed me of thy ill health 
and present confinement, which enlisted a tender 
sympathy in my heart for thee, my much esteemed 
friend, now in thy stricken and lonely condition, 
having been bereaved of one of the best of wives, 
and one who was a valuable member of the Church, 
which has no doubt left thee a lonely mourner in 
the world, with but little interest as to how it goes 



136 REMINISCENCES OF 

on. But, my dear friend, the world and its friend- 
ship thou hast ere this found to have lost all its 
charms, especially since the departure of thy be- 
loved Betsie. But she, having finished her course 
on earth with joy, and received her crown of life, 
it would seem as if she is calling thee to leave all 
and come away to her; and it matters not as to 
time, only to be found waiting for the coming of 
our Lord, for His time is always best. I often 
think of thee with the feeling of tenderest sympa- 
thy, but it is a great encouragement to believe that 
" the foundation of God standeth sure, having this 
seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His," and 
also, though " many are the afflictions of the right- 
eous, the Lord delivereth him out of them all." 

I believe the Lord has loved thee, and thy hum- 
ble, quiet, peaceable life, and will remember thee 
in His kingdom, as thou continues to put thy 
whole trust in Him, and will give thee an inher- 
itance with the dear departed loved one among 
" the saints in light," where parting cannot be, and 
where sorrows never come. May these blessings 
cheer thy wounded heart to submit to the Lord's 
most holy will. 

My dear wife joins me in tender sympathy for 
thee. With kind affection 

I remain thy friend, 

John D. Lang. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 137 

We here insert a copy of a letter written 
by Moses Bailey to a friend, several weeks 
after the death of his dear companion. 



Winthrop, Me., Fifth month, ist, 1867. 
My Dear Friend : 

It is with feelings of a good deal of pleasure 
that I acknowledge the receipt of thy consolatory 
epistle of the 12th inst., which came duly to 
hand. It is always satisfactory to know that we 
are remembered with interest by absent friends, 
and that, although we may be far separated in 
body, yet the mind, which cannot be limited in its 
contemplations, will sometimes soar away in sym- 
pathetic thought and feeling with, and for, those 
in far distant lands. That we are thus permitted 
mentally to mingle together, under a variety of cir- 
cumstances, is a great privilege and blessing. 

When the tide of prosperity seems to be flowing 
in upon us, and domestic joys and social pleasures 
are profusely scattered, as it were, broadcast all 
around us, then there is a comfort, and we derive 
much pleasure, in sharing these blessings, and in 
rejoicing together with our friends, but in seasons 
of adversity, or when sore trials are permitted to 
assail us, then to know that we are remembered 
with love and sympathy by dear friends far away, 



138 REMINISCENCES OF 

is indeed doubly gratifying and comforting to our 
hearts. 

Since thou visited us, my dear friend, solemn 
changes have occurred among us. I have had to 
pass through deep and sore trials. God has seen 
fit, in the ordering of His unerring wisdom, to re- 
move from my side the dear partner of my life, 
she to whom I was united by the strongest ties 
that earth could bind, our very hearts and souls 
being knit together and interwoven in a web that 
nothing of earth could ever separate. None 
but Himself alone, who I believe sanctioned our 
union, and who witnessed all the interfacings 
thereof, could ever have separated us. But He 
whose power is infinite, and none can stay His 
hand, saw best in His providence to sever even 
those tender ties, and the depth and severity of 
the wound caused by that severance, none can 
ever know but He alone. 

Dear relatives and kind friends are anxious to do 
all in their power, but this is like applying an ex- 
ternal application for the purpose of healing a deep- 
seated internal wound ; this cannot at all reach the 
disease. These friends may, and often do, admin- 
ister words of comfort and consolation, which serve 
to buoy the sinking spirit above the raging billows 
of despair, but in Christ alone is healing found. 
He is the great physician of value; He holds in 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 139 

His own hand a healing balm for every wound; 
having Himself inflicted, or rather permitted it, 
He knows right well how and when to apply the 
remedy. 

Now I do not believe the Lord ever afflicts His 
children but for their good. Although we poor 
mortals are so short-sighted that we are not always 
able to see and understand why we are thus dealt 
with, yet I believe the time will come when we 
shall see ; if not in this world, eternity will reveal 
it. Then it will be all clear to our view, and we 
shall have to acknowledge that " He doeth all 
things well." 

While I sometimes feel that the affliction which 
has been laid upon me is indeed severe and 
greater than I can bear, yet I would not murmur 
or repine, but humbly ask for divine grace to 
strengthen, support, and enable me patiently to 
bear all that the Lord shall see fit to permit, and 
not only submit to, but bear cheerfully, and acqui- 
esce in, His will. Pray for me, dear friend, that 
my little grain of faith fail not, but that it may be 
increased, so that I can assuredly believe, that as 
the trials of the day are, so will strength be af- 
forded to bear them. 

Sincerely thy friend, 

Moses Bailey. 



140 REMINISCENCES OF 

Moses Bailey was always deeply inter- 
ested in any Church work, and especially in 
Bible Schools. In the spring of 1867 he 
was appointed Superintendent of the Bible 
School at Baileyville, after its usual re- 
cess. On the opening day, after organizing 
the school, he read the following address, 
which he had prepared for the occasion, and 
which shows, in itself,, the object for which 
it has been selected and placed here. 

My Dear Friends : 

It is with feelings of pleasure that I am again 
permitted to meet with this interesting company 
assembled in the capacity of a Sabbath-school. 
Once more have we met, and I ardently hope and 
can but with a good degree of confidence trust 
that we have come here with feelings and desires 
in unison, which are for our individual and united 
advancement in religious knowledge, and by the 
Divine blessing for the promotion of our growth in 
grace, and in the " knowledge of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ." 

In coming to meet with you in this Annual Sab- 
bath-school commencement, it is with feelings of 
the utmost diffidence that I consent to occupy the 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 141 

place which some of my dear friends have urged 
me to do, feeling my entire inability to perform 
the duties of the position, either to my own satis- 
faction, or in a manner that shall meet with your 
approbation, for indeed I feel myself to be the 
very least among you, and the smallest of the 
flock, if I may in any wise be reckoned as a mem- 
ber of the flock of Christ. 

Several years have elapsed since we met the 
first time in this place, for the purpose for which 
we are now convened. Since that time many and 
important changes have taken place in the world 
around us ; there have been revolutions and rebel- 
lions in nations, dissensions and divisions in socie- 
ties and in communities, ties of earthly friendship 
have been severed, the strong bands of kindred 
connections have been sundered by the all-con- 
quering hand of time; even the number compos- 
ing this little circle has not been wholly unbroken. 
But among all the changes which have taken place 
in individuals, in communities, and in the world, 
there is one thing that has not changed; the prin- 
ciple of truth changes not, but remains the same, 
being based upon that immutable foundation, 
Christ Jesus, the " Rock of Ages/' against which 
even the "gates of hell shall not prevail." 

And now, as I said, we have again met; but, in 
looking over the present company, I sec they arc 



142 REMINISCENCES OF 

not all here, who were formerly wont to meet and 
mingle with us on occasions like the present. 
Some who were forward in establishing and sup- 
porting this school, whose presence often cheered 
and encouraged us, and who not unfrequently were 
engaged to speak a word of counsel, admonition, 
or encouragement, and were sometimes bowed in 
supplication at the throne of Grace, pleading for 
our establishment, preservation and advancement 
in the Christian cause, some of these have moved 
from among us, and have gone to labor in other lo- 
calities; where, if they continue faithful in dis- 
charging the duties of their several callings, they 
will undoubtedly receive a rich reward. And there 
were others, too, dear and loved ones, with whom 
we often took sweet counsel, whose places are va- 
cated and left to be filled by others. Solemn 
indeed is the reflection that they have filled up the 
measure of their allotted time on earth, and have 
gone to that " undiscovered country from whose 
bourne no traveler returns," and are now reap- 
ing the* reward of their labors, and we confidently 
trust have received the answer of " well done." 
But we are left a little longer to prepare ourselves 
for a like change which is fast approaching, and 
verv soon will overtake us all. 

We are not yet quite ready to lay aside the 
shackles of mortality. We are not all prepared to 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 143 

be inhabitants of that better country into which 
no unclean thing will be permitted to enter. No, 
we are not ready to hear the solemn language ad- 
dressed to us: "Give an account of thy steward- 
ship, for thou mayest be no longer steward.' ' 

We have yet duties to perform, and talents 
to occupy, and we are instructed in the sacred 
volume — that record of divine inspiration, which 
God Himself has blessed and favored us with, in 
order that we, through the consolations of the doc- 
trines and precepts therein contained, might have 
hope, — that book which we have now met to study 
and acquaint ourselves with, a knowledge of which 
is " able to make wise unto salvation through faith 
in Jesus Christ our Saviour." 

For the performance of these duties, and for the 
occupancy of these talents, we shall be called to 
an account in that day when we shall individually 
be summoned to appear before the Judge of all 
the earth, to be rewarded according to our works, 
whether good or evil. That account to which 
we shall then be called, I conceive to be the 
very same of which we are now every clay making 
up the items, and not one will in any wise be over- 
looked or lost. 

If, then, all these daily incidents and acts of our 
lives make up that vast account which we shall be 
called to answer for at that great and final reckon- 



144 REMINISCENCES OF 

ing day, how very important that we daily examine 
ourselves and see whether we are performing all 
our several duties faithfully to ourselves, to our 
neighbors, and to our God. Remember that we 
are each forming our own record for eternity. . . . 
And now, my dear friends, as we are again com- 
mencing a new school year, it seems to be a fit 
opportunity for each of us to form new plans and 
resolutions for future improvement. May the 
present be to each of us the beginning of a new 
era in our Christian course. If there has been 
with any of us differences of feelings and senti- 
ments which have been so far indulged as to ob- 
struct the free circulation of that spirit of broth- 
erly love which is the characteristic badge of the 
true disciple of Jesus, may we let the time past 
suffice, wherein we have walked after the imag- 
inations of our fallen natures, and seek earn- 
estly to know of being ingrafted anew into the 
true and living vine, that we may each receive 
nourishment and support from the same source. 
If this is our individual experience, it will be im- 
possible for any scattering or dividing spirit to 
exist among us, for we shall all be walking by the 
same rule and minding the same things. 

Moses Bailey was appointed to the station 
of Elder in the Church, in Fifth month, 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 145 

1867. In the Sixth month he went to New- 
port, Rhode Island, to attend New England 
Yearly Meeting of Friends. He was accom- 
panied by his nephew, James J. Page, to 
whom he was very much attached, and who 
was at this time, and had been several years, 
a member of his household. 

The sessions of the meeting were very in- 
teresting. This was the last time that S. B. 
Tobey and his efficient wife were Clerks, 
and it was thought by many that they were 
remarkably favored in the transaction of the 
business of the meeting, in producing Min- 
utes, etc. Dr. Tobey's sudden death oc- 
curred a few days after the close of that 
Yearly Meeting. 

Many qualified and anointed ministers of 
the gospel from remote parts of the country 
were there, and were much favored in the 
preaching of the Word "in the demonstra- 
tion of the spirit and of power." 

Moses Bailey enjoyed the meetings as 

much as possible under the circumstances, 

and then returned to his lonely home, — a 

home which, as we have heard him say, 

10 



146 REMINISCENCES OF 

seemed more lonely than ever before when 
he entered it and realized that she who had 
always greeted his home-coming with joy, 
would never do so again until they should 
meet in the heavenly home above. 

The remainder of that summer he con- 
fined himself quite closely at home and to 
business. Many dear friends visited him, 
whose company he enjoyed. In Eleventh 
month, 1867, he attended the Friends "Bi- 
ennial Bible School Conference" held at 
New Bedford, Massachusetts. 

In the early part of Twelfth month, 1867, 
he passed through another most severe trial 
and bereavement, which almost crushed his 
already lacerated heart, the sudden death of 
his beloved nephew, James J. Page. He 
retired, apparently as well as usual, on the 
night of the second of Twelfth month, but 
not rising at his wonted hour, his uncle 
thought he had probably overslept, and went 
to speak to him, when to his surprise he 
found him dead in his bed. This was a ter- 
rible shock to him, and to all the household, 
family relatives and neighbors. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 147 

Moses Bailey had found so much of prom- 
ise, companionship, and comfort in his 
lonely hours, in this nephew, that it seemed 
to him for a time to be a greater trial than 
he could bear, but he found that the Ever- 
lasting arms were again underneath to 
strengthen him, and that He who had been 
with him in previous trials did not forsake 
him in this one. 

This dear young man, then only in the 
twenty-fourth year of his age, was doubtless 
prepared for the unexpected summons. We 
have been told that on the Sabbath before 
his death he arose in a meeting, and re- 
peated these lines : 

"O, to be ready when death shall come, 
O, to be ready to hasten home." 

And he was doubtless ready, and found " an 
abundant entrance " to that glorious man- 
sicfn, without having first to pass through 
protracted suffering through disease. 

We were favored to enjoy a short ac- 
quaintance with him, in which we were 
deeply impressed with his kind Christian 



148 REMINISCENCES OF 

deportment, his affection and sympathy for 
his bereaved uncle, his genial, social man- 
ner, and his high regard for all goodness. 
Although but a youth, he seemed as strong 
to resist evil, and to guard against tempta- 
tions incident to the young, as many of 
maturer years, who have become established 
in righteousness. The thought that they 
have a long life before them often leads 
the young to defer the day of repentance, 
hoping to have an opportunity to make the 
needful preparation for death after they 
have enjoyed years of worldly pleasure. 
But alas, how insatiable are the pleasures 
of sin ! how many are disappointed, and 
called to go down to the grave ere their sun 
has even reached the meridian ! 

That there are no joys like those that God 
bestows, has been the emphatic experience 
of many who have known much of earthly 
pleasure before partaking of the felicitfes 
enjoyed by those who have found the soul's 
true center of rest in God. 

The Christian has the assurance that the 
blessing of providence is constantly resting 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 149 

upon him and his labors of love. By faith 
he claims the promises of God, knowing 
them to be "yea and amen in Christ." He 
knows, too, that whatever his all-wise Crea- 
tor does is right, although it may not 
seem evident to the finite sense of man; 
hence he is resigned to the will of God, and 
through prayer and faith is enabled to re- 
joice in the Lord alway, and glory even in 
tribulations, knowing " that all things work 
together for good to them that love God." 
But how different it is from all this, with 
those who choose their own will and ways, 
utterly regardless of God's requirements ! 
They live in fear of His judgments, which 
they know are surely awaiting the trans- 
gressor, although " sentence against an evil 
work is not always executed speedily." How 
important then that those who desire a 
happy life, should choose in the beginning 
of their accountability, instead of sin, the 
path of heavenly wisdom, for happy are 
they that find it. Wisdom's " ways are ways 
of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 
Length of days is in her right hand, and in 



150 REMINISCENCES OF 

her left hand riches and honor. She is 
more precious than rubies ; and all the 
things thou canst desire are not to be com- 
pared unto her." Those who go in her 
ways are assured that they shall "walk 
safely." To them is fulfilled the promise, 
"When thou liest down, thou shalt not be 
afraid ; yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy 
sleep shall be sweet .... for the Lord 
shall be thy confidence." 

They do greatly err who suppose that re- 
ligion is desirable only as a preparation for 
death and eternity. " Godliness is profitable 
unto all things .... for the life that now is," 
as well as for " that which is to come." The 
Lord has, and ever will, bless those in a 
special manner who consecrate their youth 
to His service. Look for example to Sam- 
uel, early honored to be a prophet of the 
Lord, to David, called when a shepherd-boy 
to receive the anointing oil from the hand of 
Samuel, and exchange his crook for a scep- 
ter and a crown. 

Would that those of our readers who are 
teachers in Bible Schools might feel the 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 151 

weight of their responsibility, as well as the 
precious privilege of an untiring endeavor to 
impress upon the minds and hearts of those 
under their care and instruction the great 
necessity and advantage of giving their 
hearts to God at an early age. May we, fel- 
low teachers, each be able to say, when 
called to give an account of our work, 
" Here am I, and the children the Lord hath 
given me," and to hear the answer, " Well 
done." And would that those of our readers 
who are young in years, might submit them- 
selves to divine guidance, and obey God's 
righteous will, that He may " satisfy them 
early with His mercy," so that thus they be 
" enabled to rejoice and be glad in Him all 
their days," and, like James J. Page, be 
ready to depart when the messenger shall 
come, whether it be, as to him, suddenly, or 
after previous warning. 

The following letter written by the sub- 
ject of this sketch to a friend, may, we think, 
with propriety be placed here. 



152 REMINISCENCES OF 

Winthrop, Second month, 4th, 1868. 
My Dear Friend : 

When I wrote the other day, I had but a few 
moments of time, being pretty closely engaged in 
a variety of concerns, company, meeting matters, 
the ordinary business of the day, etc., so that I 
could hardly get my mind on anything that I 
wanted to write. 

Thou mentioned in thy communication the re- 
ligious revival that is going on in your part of the 
land. We, too, are having something of the same 
here. It seems as if this were the season when the 
angel of the Lord had descended into the pool 
and was troubling the water, and many diseased 
souls were stepping in, while others were just on 
the brink, all ready to be plunged beneath the wave. 
Such are the healing virtues of the waters, that 
whosoever comes with humble faith in the efficacy 
and power thereof, no matter of how deep a dye 
their sins may be, whether of scarlet tint or crim- 
son hue, they are at once made white as snow, and 
pure as wool. But in order to be benefited, we 
must come to the cleansing pool in faith, trusting 
all to Him whose spirit troubles the waters ; 
there must be no credit given to self in this heal- 
ing; nature can have no part nor lot in the mat- 
ter. But O, how anxious sometimes we are to 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 153 

do something ourselves, in our own way. We 
know full well that we are diseased, and that 
eternal death is our inevitable doom unless that 
disease be removed. But when the remedy is 
shown, it seems so simple and insignificant in our 
view, that we question its efficacy, or ask perhaps, 
are not other waters better than these, or can I 
not do this thing, or that, — deeds and acts which 
look far more noble, and that will win the applause 
of men, so that the world will look upon me as of 
some consequence ? 

Now is not this the very reason why so many of 
us fail to be cleansed from the leprosy of sin, and 
go on day after day distressed and groaning with 
the fatal malady ? It seems to me one of the 
greatest causes why so many are in this condition 
is the want of child-like faith and trust in Jesus. 
He only can appoint the means and prescribe the 
remedy, for He alone is the great physician of 
souls. , 

I believe there is a great work going on in many 
places, that the Lord is pouring out of His Spirit 
abundantly upon the people, and that many are 
seeking the way of life and salvation, and are find- 
ing it too, to the great comfort and rejoicing of 
their souls. 

Yet I have sometimes feared for some of us 
who, I believe, have known, and to whom it has 



154 REMINISCENCES OF 

been clearly shown, that the offering which is pre- 
pared of the Lord is the only one acceptable to 
Him ; that having begun in the Spirit, and run 
well for a season under its influence and by its 
simple, pure, and unerring guidance, yet, through 
unwatchfulness in keeping the eye single to the 
true light, or through the suggestions of the ad- 
versary of our souls, we have been attempting, or 
may be induced to attempt, to mix a little of the 
spirit of the world and our own natural desires, 
with that of the true Spirit of Christ. But these 
are so antagonistical that they cannot safely be 
commingled, and if we attempt it we shall be in 
danger of spiritual death. 

I believe there is as great need now of holding 
up to the world the pure spirituality of the gospel, 
as ever there was in any age. The doctrines and 
principles professed by the Society of Friends con- 
stitute a high standard of gospel truth, and if that 
standard had always been maintained and lived up 
to, this Society would at the present day have 
stood among the first of the churches in our 
country, not only in purity of principle and doc- 
trine, but also in the number of its members. In- 
deed, I believe it would have ranked among the 
foremost of the churches of the world, and we 
would never have experienced the divisions that 
have occurred in this little branch of the militant 
Church. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 155 

But it was in consequence of lowering these fun- 
damental principles, and disregarding the teach- 
ings of the Spirit, trying to live on the experience 
of others, becoming a formal people instead of ex- 
perimental, spiritual worshipers, that many became 
dead while holding to a name to live. 

In this formal state and spiritually dead condi- 
tion, Satan saw his opportunity, and was ready, as 
he always is, to come in, disunite and divide, tak- 
ing captive, bearing away, and scattering, at his 
will. But, thank God, brighter days are dawning 
upon us ; the dry bones are being shaken ; on 
those over whom death and spiritual darkness 
reigned, God is again breathing the spirit of life. 
May this spirit continue to be poured out in such 
measure upon us, that all shall come under its 
blessed influence, and then will the Church shine 
forth in its primitive glory and power, " fair as the 
moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army 
with banners." 

But while the Lord thus deigns to bless us, and 
so condescends to elevate us from our benighted 
condition, how needful that we listen to the u still 
small voice " that speaks in the secret of the soul, 
showing us when, and where, and how to act, lest 
in our zeal for God we be found acting " not ac- 
cording to knowledge," and nature get the ascend- 
ency of grace ! . . . . 



156 REMINISCENCES OF 

Experience teaches us many a lesson that could 
never be learned in any other way. I have been 
blessed with a loving companion, a dear, dear wife, 
whom I loved most sincerely and devotedly, and 
who fully reciprocated that love. We lived to- 
gether many years as happily as mortals could, 
and I sometimes feared I loved her too strongly, 
even idolizing her, and that this was why she was 

taken from me No outside influence had 

any effect in bringing about our union, but, on the 
contrary, we had opposition to contend with. We 
were young, and both poor, and neither of us very 
strong physically ; hence, I suppose some of our 
dear friends thought we would be hardly able to 
get a living together. But all this had no effect to 
intimidate. We ventured to share our destinies 
together on the simple platform of pure love, and 
of faith in God, and were not disappointed; the 
Lord blessed us abundantly ; we lived together 
twenty-six years in perfect unity and harmony. . . 

Then my dear James, who seemed to me like my 
own, was taken when I thought I had drank the 
bitter cup to its very dregs. But I am being won- 
derfully supported amidst it all. I can truly say: 
" The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away : 
blessed be the name of the Lord;" "Though He 
slay me, yet will I trust in Him." .... 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 157 

I received a good letter from our dear friend H. 
on New Year's day. She gave me some excellent 
counsel in relation to the importance of seeking 
first the kingdom of Heaven, and of knowing that 
my first love is for Christ, my Saviour. Hope I 
may profit by it. She said she had recently called 
on thee 

On these long evenings, after my household has 
retired, I am left alone to my reflections. Then I 
frequently get the letters of my friends, and re- 
peruse them, and derive a great deal of comfort 

from them 

Truly thy friend, 

Moses Bailey. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 159 



CHAPTER VI. 

WHAT IS QUAKERISM? DEATH OF HIS FATHER- 
IN-LAW REMINISCENCES SICKNESS. 

During the long evenings of the winter of 
1 867-1 868, after the death of his nephew, 
Moses Bailey was almost entirely alone, ex- 
cept as a friend or neighbor occasionally 
came to make a social call. This retirement 
gave him an opportunity for studying the 
Scriptures, reading, writing, etc. A friend 
coming in at one time, and engaging # with 
him in conversation on religious topics, on 
the creeds and doctrines of different relig- 
ious societies, asked: "What is Quaker- 
ism? " This query induced him to write the 
following answer, which we think it may be 
well to place here. 

We believe in God as the Creator, Upholder, 
and Ruler of all things ; that He created man in 
His own image, and implanted in him a soul, a 



160 REMINISCENCES OF 

spirit, like His own holy nature, by which he was 
made capable of holding communion with his 
Maker. Being created, he must be under the con- 
trol of, and obedient to, the commands of his Cre- 
ator. When placed in the garden of Eden, God 
said to him, that of every tree in the garden he 
might freely eat, except the " tree of knowledge of 
good and evil"; but of that he should not eat; 
" for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt 
surely die." This was the penalty of transgres- 
sion. Our first parents did partake of that forbid- 
den fruit, and death was inevitable; not that they 
were immediately deprived of their physical life, 
for they lived many years after they sinned. But 
far more deplorable than the death of the body, 
they were in that very day deprived of the spiritual 
life \thich they had previously enjoyed, of union 
and communion with their Maker. God, seeing 
their wretched, ruined state, and that they had 
been deceived and enticed by an evil spirit, pitied 
their condition, and devised a plan, and an- 
nounced to man a way by which he might be 
restored to the favor of God and thus escape 
eternal death. 

And this way was the burden of prophecy, until 
the coming of the Son of God in the flesh, who 
was the promised deliverer. At the time ap- 
pointed of the Father, and revealed to man by the 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 161 

prophets, Christ Jesus came into the world, con- 
ceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin 
Mary. Though perfect God, and one with the 
Father before the world was, He also became per- 
fect man, " made a little lower than the angels," 
" that He by the grace of God should taste death 
for every man." 

He became subject to trials, temptations, joys 
and sorrows, and was in all points like unto his 
brethren, sin only excepted, that He might, being 
touched with the feeling of their infirmities, be- 
come a merciful mediator between God and fallen 
humanity. He lived on earth with man, showing 
forth His mighty power as God, and when in the 
councils of His own eternal wisdom, His mission 
on earth in His outward prepared body of flesh 
was finished, He suffered wicked men to take, con- 
demn, and put Him to death, making a sacrifice of 
Himself as an atonement for the sins of the world. 

Before ascending to His native glory in heaven, 
He said these consolatory words to His sorrowing 
disciples : " Let not your hearts be troubled : ye 
believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's 
house are many mansions; if it were not so I 
would have told you. I go to prepare a place for 
you. I will come again and receive you unto My- 
self, that where I am, there ye may be also." He 
said further: "It is expedient for you that I go 
11 



162 



REMINISCENCES OF 



away ; for if I go not away, the Comforter will 
not come unto you." And again : " When He, 
the Spirit of Truth shall come, He shall guide you 
into all truth." 

Now, agreeable to this promise, the Spirit of 
Truth has come, a measure of which is given to 
all as an unerring guide, whom, if heeded and 
obeyed, will direct into all truth, and bring the 
believer to an inheritance of eternal life. 

While we believe that all the ordinances and 
commandments of the Jewish law were obligatory 
upon men of that day to observe, without which 
they could by no means be justified in the sight of 
God, yet, after the coming of the Son of God in 
the flesh, and the completion of His mission on 
earth, and ascension into Heaven, in Him was 
opened " a new and living way," and all former or- 
dinances, which were but shadows of a new and 
spiritual dispensation which he came to introduce 
to men, were abolished in Him the living sub- 
stance. It is now through faith in Jesus as our all- 
atoning sacrifice for sin, and belief in, and obe- 
dience to, the dictates of His Holy Spirit, that we 
can find reconciliation and acceptance with God, 
the Father. These are some of the primary and 
fundamental doctrines which are held by the 
Society of Friends, or are what the querist terms 
" Quakerism." 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 163 

As the above essay gives only the ground- 
work of the system of principles as pro- 
fessed by the Society of Friends, and goes 
no farther into details, we think it possible, 
if not probable, that some inquiring minds 
among our readers may feel somewhat dis- 
appointed that the peculiar doctrines of this 
religious organization were not more fully 
mentioned. For the satisfaction of such we 
have concluded to make the following selec- 
tions from the New England Discipline of 
Friends. 

If any man have not the Spirit (consequently 
love) of Christ, he is none of His. This love is 
broader than unity, because the disciple, the friend 
of Christ, may and must love even the enemies of 
Christ. Yet he can have unity only with the 
friends of Christ, with such as are engrafted into 
the same vine, and partake of the same spirit, and 
their unity stands not in oneness of idea, but in 
oneness of spirit, in that oneness which Christ 
prayed the Father that His disciples might expe- 
rience, "that they may be one in us." And 
although gospel love be more extensive and 
broader than Christian unity, yet the unity of the 
spirit, which is not dependent upon oneness of 



164 REMINISCENCES OF 

idea, is broad enough to embrace the whole 
" household of faith," including all true believers, 
branches of the true Vine, wherever found, in 
every denomination, in every kindred, tongue, 
and people. 

From a careful consideration of the doctrines of 
the Christian religion, it will be seen that there is 
an intimate connection of all its parts, and a de- 
pendence of the whole on Jesus Christ, in His 
blessed offices as the everlasting Foundation 

It was He, who having been crucified, raised 
from the dead, and exalted by the right hand of 
God, shed forth the Holy Spirit, by virtue of which 
both sons and daughters were to prophesy 

And in the exercise of their gifts they were in- 
structed to depend on Him, to be to them mouth 
and wisdom, tongue and utterance. 

By His own regenerating power He leads the 
soul through those cleansing operations which 
were represented by outward baptism, and which 
consist, not in the " putting away of the filth of the 
flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward 
God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." 

In the participation of the divine nature, and 
through that faith which applies and seals the effi- 
cacy of this propitiation, we enjoy the communion 
of the body and blood of Christ. 

He commanded us to love our enemies — to do 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 165 

good for evil, and, as a universal rule of action, to 
do to others as we would that they should do to us. 
Thus the ax is laid to the very root of the princi- 
ples of war, retaliation, injustice and revenge, and 
all the various grades of wrong, oppression and in- 
justice among men. And by His Spirit in our 
hearts, He inspires us with those heavenly affec- 
tions and feelings, and that universal benevolence 
in which man, in every situation, is the friend of 
man, and in the prevalence of which, violence 
would no more be heard in the land, wasting nor 
destruction within our borders, and a practical il- 
lustration would be given of the anthem of the 
heavenly host : " Glory to God in the highest, and 
on earth peace, good will to men." .... 

Our Christian Testimony should be faithfully 
maintained against the burthen and imposition of 
oaths, according to the express prohibition of 
Christ: "Ye have heard that it hath been said by 
them of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself, 
but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths; but 
I say unto you, swear not at all, neither by heaven 
for it is God's throne, nor by the earth, for it is His 
footstool ; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city 
of the great King; neither shalt thou swear by 
thy head, because thou canst not make one hair 
white nor black, but let your communication be 
yea, yea, and nay, nay; for whatsoever is more 



166 REMINISCENXES OF 

than these cometh of evil." " But/' says the apos- 
tle, " above all things, my brethren, swear not ; 
neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither 
by any other oath ; but let your yea be yea, and 
your nay, nay, lest ye fall into condemnation. " . . 

We entreat that, when any Friend has occasion 
to make an affirmation, he be very considerate, 
and sure of the truth of what he is about to affirm, 
remembering that the command, " Thou shalt not 
bear false witness," is as binding as " Thou shalt 
not swear," and as well in the gospel as in the law; 
also that the stretching forth of the hand in token 
of appeal to the Most High before the magistrate, 
forms no part of an affirmation, but of an oath. 

The Testimony which the Society of Friends has 
so long borne against the iniquitous system of 
slavery, has, we humbly trust, been blessed of our 
Heavenly Father, and we feel it right to record 
our thankfulness that our Holy Head led us in 
this way. May we be encouraged to follow more 
closely the guidance of His Spirit, embracing 
every right opening for service, in promoting the 
abolition of slavery and the slave trade in those 
countries where it unhappily exists, and also in 
healing the wounds which this iniquitous system 
has produced, wherever it has prevailed, removing, 
as far as may be, the ignorance, immorality, and 
helplessness which have followed in its train. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 167 

The doctrine of the light of Christ in the hearts 
of men, taken in connection with the fundamental 
doctrines of the gospel, has been held by the So- 
ciety from its first being gathered to be a people 
to the present time. But it ought to be remem- 
bered that it is to be carefully distinguished from 
every other influence which actuates the human 
mind. 

We have ever believed, and as constantly main- 
tained, the truth of that great and mysterious doc- 
trine, that there are three that bear record in 
heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy 
Ghost, and these three are one, — one God, infi- 
nite, eternal, and incomprehensible, and blessed 
forever more. 

In the Second month of the year 1867, 
Moses Bailey was again bereaved, by the 
death of his much beloved father-in-law, 
Reuben Jones, an honored and highly es- 
teemed minister of the Society of Friends. 
He died triumphantly in the faith of the 
Gospel, and his family and friends were com- 
forted in the abundant evidence that their 
loss was his eternal gain. 

Early in the year 1869, a sister-in-law of 
Moses Bailey wrote the following "Remi- 



168 REMINISCENCES OF 

niscences," which were read to a company 
gathered for Scripture study at his house, 
when the writer of this was present. We 
have requested of her the privilege of 
using them in this work, to which she has 
kindly consented, and we put them here as 
something appropriate to fill the place they 
occupy. 

REMINISCENCES. 

In our mingling here together on last New Year's 
eve, with so many of our loved friends, we were 
forcibly reminded of the New Year's eve of 1866, 
when many of us were on a similar occasion as- 
sembled here, all joyous and happy to appearance. 
But we well remember the sadness that at times 
would fill our hearts with fearful foreboding that 
death ere long with his icy hand would rob us of 
one of our cherished ones. Our fears were more 
than realized. Not only our beloved sister was 
taken from us, but one in the bloom of health and 
manhood, who was near and dear to all our hearts, 
and the dear aged grandfather is also gone. Yes, 
gone from our homes, but still to memory dear, 
the aged, the middle-aged, and the precious 
youth; — the aged sire, gathered as a shock of corn 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 169 

fully ripe; the daughter, sister, wife, she who was 
dear to us who claim these kindred ties, and dear to 
all with whom she mingled. How can we better 
speak of her than in the language of her bereaved 
companion, when she had breathed her last : 
"Asleep in Jesus! yes, asleep in Jesus!" And 
of the precious youth we would say, that, although 
the " midnight cry " was sounded in his ear, we 
believe he was found ready, all ready, to enter into 
the presence of the Lord. " They rest from their 
labors, and their works do follow them." Although 
we miss them from our loved circle, we believe 
our loss is their eternal gain. Though dead, they 
yet speak to us. 

" They bid us do the work that they laid down, 

Take up the song where they broke off the strain ; 
So journeying till we reach the heavenly town, 
Where are laid up our treasures and our crown, 
And our lost loved ones will be found again. " 

Yes, they are waiting to welcome us when our 
time comes. O, to be ready ! The time is fast 
approaching. Soon will the " silver cord be 
loosed/' soon will " the golden bowl be broken," 
and we be called to bid adieu to loved ones here. 
If found ready, it matters not whether we are 
called in the morning, at noon, or in the evening 



170 REMINISCENCES OF 

of life. O, that we may unitedly double our dili- 
gence to make our calling and election sure ! 
" Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which 
doth so easily beset us, and let us run with pa- 
tience the race that is set before us ; looking unto 
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ; who 
for the joy that was set before Him, endured the 
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the 
right hand of God," where He "ever liveth to 
make intercession for us." O, that His pleadings 
may not be in vain, but may we accept the offers 
of redeeming love ere the solemn words be sounded 
in our ears, "Too late! too late!" 

Let us be willing to enter into our Masters 
vineyard and labor faithfully, for behold, "the 
fields are white already to harvest," "but the la- 
borers are few." Let us be " fruitful in every good 
work and joyful in the house of prayer." 

Yes, another year of life's eventful scenes, its 
hopes and fears, joys and sorrows, has passed away, 
and we have recently entered upon the untried 
scenes of the new year. The world moves on the 
same as if the old year had not taken its flight, 
and the revolving wheels of time ushered in the 
new, full of hope and solicitude. The changes, 
trials and disappointments of the present year are 
in the wisdom of providence hidden from our view. 
Time can only tell what awaits us. We cannot 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 171 

look into the future; we must wait, and in waiting, 
let us " watch and pray." 

We realize that nothing of an earthly nature can 
satisfy the longing desires of the soul. Everything 
here is changeable and vacillating. Nothing that 
we can rely upon in the hour of adversity. All is 
change and decay. But, notwithstanding this, we 
have by faith the blissful assurance that " God's 
foundation standeth sure, though earth's founda- 
tions rock." O, that we might pause before we 
enter further the new year, and see if our hopes 
and expectations are on God, and our feet placed 
upon the immutable rock, Christ Jesus, against 
which nothing shall ever prevail, and if we find 
we are building on that sure foundation, let us 
" work while it is day." Let us be willing to de- 
vote our entire time and talents for the good of our 
fellow-beings, and the advancement of Christ's 
kingdom on earth, and to glorify that Being who 
has so mercifully preserved our lives, and not, ac- 
cording to our deserts, cut us off as cumberers of 
the ground. We should endeavor to " sow beside 
all waters," and let our precepts and example tend 
to gather in the outcast, to reclaim the wandering ; 
and let us speak gently to the erring, and not only 
to them, but of them. We should never let the 
fear of endangering our own reputation, hinder us 
from lending a helping hand to such as these. 



172 REMINISCENCES OF 

May we show to the world and to our families 
that we are endeavoring to let our light shine. We 
are commanded to place it where it may give light 
to all in the house. Would that it might serve as 
a beacon light to perishing souls around us, that 
thereby they might be induced to come to Jesus. 
We read that " there is no other name under 
heaven, given among men whereby we must be 
saved." Unto Him " every knee shall bow, and 
every tongue confess." 

The query arises here : are we willing always, 
when the spirit of prayer is given us, to bow the 
knee and confess in the presence of the world 
that " Jesus is the Christ, to the glory of God the 
Father " ? We fear that if some of us were 
"weighed in the balance," we would be found 
wanting. Let us now renew our covenant with 
God, that, if He will spare our lives yet longer, we 
will be more faithful, more prayerful, more watch- 
ful, and with the ability He gives, press our way 
onward and upward, homeward and heavenward, 
girding on the whole armor, fighting the good fight 
of faith, that we may obtain the crown at the end 
of the race. O, that glorious crown ! Is it not 
worth striving for ? But let us remember that if 
we would wear the crown, we must bear the cross. 

Many, the past year, have been called suddenly 
from time to eternity ; others have sickened and 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 173 

died, and still others have lingered beyond our ex- 
pectations, patiently suffering and waiting the 
Lord's time. We have often thought that these 
things are not permitted for those only who suffer, 
but as a lesson for the living. Then how ought 
we to look well to ourselves, giving heed to the ad- 
monition to double our " diligence to make our 
calling and election sure," so that if, ere the cycle 
of another year rolls around, we too shall be sum- 
moned home, we may hear the welcome words : 
(( Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the king- 
dom prepared for you from the foundation of the 
world." 

S. D. B. 
Winthrop, First month, 1869. 

About the time of the death of his dear 
father-in-law, previously referred to, Moses 
Bailey was stricken with pneumonia, and 
during several days the disease raged 
fiercely, and his life was despaired of by 
many of his friends. We have since heard 
him say that he believed that every one aban- 
doned all hope of his recovery except him- 
self and the doctor. He often, afterward, 
spoke with earnest gratitude of the untiring 
faithfulness of Dr. C. during this sickness. 



174 REMINISCENCES OF 

He also very frequently mentioned the great 
care extended to him by H. W., who was 
his constant nurse, and spoke of the kind 
devotion of his cousin, M. B. R., as well as 
the interest manifested by all his dear 
friends, relatives and neighbors. He said he 
never before had so fully realized that he 
held a place so prominent in the hearts of 
those of the community in which he lived. 
His gratitude to them made him anxious to 
have future opportunities to manifest it. 
He was confined to his bed several weeks, 
and to the house about four months. After 
the disease subsided, he became so pros- 
trated with general debility, that it seemed 
almost impossible for him to rally at all, and 
his recovery was very slow. In a letter 
written to a friend, during his convales- 
cence, in the latter part of Third month, 
1865, he says: 

I am improving slowly. Am considerable 
stronger than I was a week ago. Can now get off 
the bed without help, and walk a few steps to a 
chair, where I recline from an hour to an hour and 
a half, three times a day. I am receiving the very 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 175 

kindest care and attention from faithful nurses, and 
a deeply interested physician. At one time my 
poor barque was driven almost to the opposite 
shore, but He who provided the means for my 
recovery, has blessed them, and heard the plead- 
ings of dear friends at the throne of grace, and I 
have been brought back to this side of the stream. 
I shall come out of this sickness in the course of 
time, perhaps better than I have been during the 
last year. 

The following letter to Moses Bailey, from 
a friend, bears date Fifth month, ist, 1868. 
We give it here as a preface to his reply. 

I received the Minutes of your Yearly Meeting 
which thou sent me, for which accept my grati- 
tude. I read them with much interest, and then 
loaned them to a dear invalid friend. I noticed 
thy name mentioned a number of times, showing 
thou art made useful in the Church, which I am 
glad to know is the case, for I cannot endure a 
lukewarm, unfaithful profession of Christianity. 
Wc all have a labor of some kind assigned us, and 
the Church has need of our service. To be a neg- 
ative Christian is not enough ; we must be aggres- 
sive. "Faith if it hath not works is dead, being 



176 REMINISCENCES OF 

alone." In no other way can a living faith be 
manifested, and Christ emphasizes this fact very 
frequently, — "Not every one that saith Lord, 
Lord, shall enter the kingdom, but he that doeth 
the will of My Father." " Whoso heareth these 
sayings of Mine, and doeth them." " He that 
doeth the truth, cometh to the light." 

In the parable of the talents given to the ser- 
vants, their lord commanded every one to occupy 
till his return ; and we are taught an impressive 
lesson by the fact that a refusal to improve the 
trust was rewarded, not merely with the loss of 
the talent, but the casting of the unprofitable ser- 
vant into outer darkness, — a fearful warning to 
unfaithful members of the body of Christ, to every 
one of whom " a manifestation of the Spirit has 
been given, to profit withal." 

Does not our Lord show us very plainly the im- 
possibility of a merely negative disciple being a 
true Christian, when He declares that those who 
gather not with Him, scatter abroad ? To gather 
with Christ is to be a co-worker in building up the 
Church which He has purchased with His own 
blood, and in gathering sinners into its fold. 

If we are not for Christ by direct influence and 
testimony, are we not against Him ? Is not this 
service required of us a " reasonable service " ? It 
is all we can do in return for the ineffable love and 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 177 

mercy He has manifested toward us, and it is but 
little at the best. 

He suffered and died, not for His friends only, 
but for His enemies. " While we were yet sin- 
ners Christ died for us." He prayed for His mur- 
derers. Can we pray for our enemies ? We are 
commanded to pray for those who despitefully use 
us and persecute us, that we may be the children 
of our Father which is in heaven. 

There are many ways in which we may bear 
fruit. A kind word, an act of benevolence, a deed 
of love, however small it may be, or to make any 
sacrifice for the good of another, is bearing fruit 
to the glory of God. How encouraging the assur- 
ance to those who have it not in their power to do 
great things, that even a cup of water given to a 
disciple because they belong to Christ, shall not 
fail to receive a reward 

Should not all we do be done cheerfully, and 
with an eye single to the glory of God, not seek- 
ing honor for ourselves, but for Him, keeping self 
out of sight ? What an example of perfect humil- 
ity was our divine Lord. He compared Himself, 
not to the sturdy oak, but to the lowly vine, de- 
pending upon something for its support. He 
depended upon the Father to sustain Him in 
everything pertaining to His humanity, and if we 
abide in this Vine, we shall constantly depend 
12 



178 REMINISCENCES OF 

upon it for soul-sustenance, and will be continually 
drawing from it that nourishment which alone can 
sustain our spiritual life. He alone is our strength 
in weakness, our "present help in every time of 
need." He says, " Without Me ye can do noth- 
ing." " Where is boasting ? It is excluded," as 
saith the apostle : " Paul may plant, and Apollos 
water, but God giveth the increase." 

Patience and long-suffering, too, are among the 
prominent fruits of the Holy Spirit, manifested by 
the renewed heart, as is also gentleness and meek- 
ness. 

The Christian has much to encourage him in his 
labors, for he is assured that they " shall not be in 
vain in the Lord." In due season he will reap if 
he faints not. 

Then let us be encouraged, my friend, to go on 
our way rejoicing, willing to labor prayerfully, 
earnestly and faithfully, abiding in the vine and 
bringing forth fruit abundantly, until we are trans- 
planted beside the river which flows by the throne 
of God, where we may, together with our loved 
ones, enjoy the brightness and the glory which 
pervade the eternal heaven, the all-beautiful home 
of the redeemed and the Holy Three who bear 
record there. 

Thy sincere friend, 

H. C. J. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 179 

The following, dated Fifth month, ioth, 
1868, are extracts from Moses Bailey's reply- 
to the above letter: 

Thy interesting epistle of the first inst. was re- 
ceived on the evening of the fifth. Thou spoke of 
some of the prominent Christian attributes which 
we must possess in order to be members of the 
true Church, of which Christ is the Head ; and 
not only of possessing them, but of the importance 
of having them developed and allowed to shine in 
their full native splendor, that surrounding be- 
holders may see and take knowledge that we are 
the followers of Jesus, and thereby some be in- 
duced to bow at the Saviour's feet and glorify the 
God of Heaven. Now, if we truly possess these 
all-important attributes, they will shine forth in 
our life and intercourse with the world, and will 
bear fruit corresponding with their nature. The 
very moment we undertake to hide the talents and 
graces which our Heavenly Father has in great 
mercy conferred upon us, they will begin to lan- 
guish, and eventually disappear ; and if we ever pos- 
sess them again, it must be, and can only be, by 
the fresh anointing and renewing of the Holy Spirit. 
As thou hast very truly said, it is all important 
that we labor earnestly and prayerfully in the 
sphere God has appointed for us, and under the di- 



180 REMINISCENCES OF 

rection of His Holy Spirit, which will always lead 
aright, and without which we shall often go wrong. 

How very important that we have the Spirit of 
the Lord within us, illuminating our way, and 
showing us clearly what to do ! If we disregard 
the Spirit, He will be withdrawn from us, and 
we may be left to grope in darkness even at 
noonday. 

When the Holy Spirit is withdrawn, we know 
not that He will ever return, for God has said, " My 
Spirit shall not always strive with man/' None of 
us have any power to keep ourselves, or to direct 
our course aright. O that we may at all times 
live so near to the blessed fountain of life that, 
in every emergency, and under every trial, we may 
apply for the Spirit's direction, ever believing that 
we shall receive it. We have the promise of 
Jesus : " If ye abide in Me, and My words abide 
in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be 
done unto you." O for faith to take hold of such 
promises as this ! Lord, increase our faith. 

Now I suppose I must give some account of my 
poor self, and what shall I say ? I do not like to 
be telling over and over again the same story that 
I have been telling for the last six weeks, and yet 
I cannot see much chance for change. I am here 
a housekeeper yet, quite feeble, but have gained 
some since I wrote last, and think I am improvin 



■ 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 181 

slowly. I ride out every day, when the weather is 
suitable, and extend the length of my ride a little 
every time. Yesterday, went over to the vil- 
lage, three miles distant; went to brother Levi 
Jones', where I lay down and rested till noon, and 
came home after dinner. My friends in the village 
seemed very glad to see me, and many gathered 
around me to express their joy. Really it was 
a great pleasure to me to get out among folks once 
more, for it has been more than three months that 
I have been shut up in close confinement, but I 
now expect ere long to be permitted again to min- 
gle in society and with the world. My friends are 
expressing much hope that I shall be able to at- 
tend our approaching Yearly Meeting, which com- 
mences the twelfth of next month. Whether I 
shall be, is, I think, quite uncertain. I shall, in 
order to do so, have to gain much faster than in 
the past four weeks. 

We shall naturally be expecting warmer and 
pleasanter weather in the future, when I anticipate 
more rapid improvement, but I do feel very grate- 
ful that it is as well with me as it is. How shall 
we sufficiently praise the Lord for His goodness 
and mercy to us ? ... . 



182 REMINISCENCES OF 

To the same: 

Winthrop, Me., Fifth month, 26th, 1868. 

It is with feelings of pleasure, and with a thank- 
ful heart, that I acknowledge the reception of thy 
letter. We have been having a long, cold rain- 
storm, this being the thirteenth day since it com- 
menced. I have had to stay in the house all of 
this time, and it seems to me like rather close 
confinement. I am not, of course, gaining much 
health or strength during this inclement season; I 
think, however, I am not losing. It seems lonely, 
and somewhat discouraging at times, to be confined 
so long, but I endure it much better than I could 
have expected. I do believe the dear Lord helps 
me to bear the burden. None of us know what 
we can endure till we are brought to the test. 
Sometimes trials and afflictions, which we look 
upon as being altogether greater than we can pos- 
sibly bear, are rendered comparatively light, and 
even seem trivial, when He who is the strength of 
His people condescends in great mercy to bear 
their burdens for them. And I believe He is ever 
ready and willing to do this for all who come to 
Him in humble faith, and ask His assistance. 

What an unspeakable blessing, that we have 
such a compassionate and loving friend, to whom 
we may apply in times of our greatest need, 1 




A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 183 

from whom we are always sure of succor and sup- 
port. His promise is unfailing : " They that ask 
shall receive." .... 

Last sixth day, our Monthly Meeting was held 
at West Gardiner. I wanted to be there very 
much, but could not. The day was wet, but, had it 
been fair, I do not suppose I could have endured 
the journey. This was the Fourth Monthly Meet- 
ing in succession from which I have been absent. 
I have been Clerk of the Meeting ten years or 
more, and think have not missed a session before, 
during that time 

To-morrow is our Quarterly Meeting at Fairfield. 
This will make two successive Quarterly Meetings 
since I have been sick, from which I have been 
absent. At our last one, they took the liberty, in 
my absence, to re-appoint me Clerk. So I suppose 
Friends thought I should come out again some 
time. Whether I shall be able to go to Yearly 
Meeting is quite uncertain. This convalescent 
season is a very protracted one. It really seems 
to be up-hill business, but I am hoping on with 
pretty good courage 

Thou will not get this until thy return from 
New York. Perhaps I will write again before that 
time. Farewell. 

Thy friend, 

M. 13. 



184 REMINISCENCES OF 

By Sixth month, Moses Bailey had recov- 
ered 'so far as to be able to go to Newport 
to attend New England Yearly Meeting 
of Friends. The following notes were re- 
corded while there : 

Atlantic House, Newport, Seventh day evening, 
Sixth month, 13th, 1868. — I left home last fifth 
day. Came to Portland, and stopped about four 
hours. At seven o'clock in the evening took the 
boat for Boston. Yesterday morning left for 
this place, and arrived at noon. Endured the 
journey better than I expected to. Today have 
attended two long sessions of select meetings. I 
think I feel better than when I left home. If the 
weather continues pleasant, I hope the air will in- 
vigorate me, and improve my health. 

My dear friends from all parts of the Yearly 
Meeting express much satisfaction that I am able 
to be here. Many of them had not expected to 
see me again, and several had heard that I was 
dead. Their manifestations of regard make me 
feel comfortable in mind, and also in body, for 
these are so connected that each influences the 
other. I feel very unworthy to receive so much 
attention 

We have had two excellent meetings of min- 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 185 

isters and elders today. The first convened at 
nine o'clock a.m., when, after a short season of sol- 
emn silence, during which the presence of the 
Lord was felt to be in our midst, William W. 
offered prayer for all present, and especially for 
some who, perchance, might even be in that meet- 
ing, who have never known true conversion and 
change of heart ; after which William H. Chase 
spoke in a beautiful and interesting manner, com- 
mencing with the words, " Occupy till I come," 
showing the necessity and importance of not only 
occupying our gifts and talents now, but of con- 
tinued faithfulness. After this we had very inter- 
esting communications from J. H. D., William W., 
and others. 

The afternoon meeting was crowned by the 
presence of the Living God, who in great mercy 
deigned once more to meet with us. Much salu- 
tary counsel was given. 

Sabbath evening, 14th. — We have had another 
very pleasant day, and I am feeling quite as 
well as yesterday. The meeting convened this 
morning at ten o'clock. A very large company 
was present, more than could get into the house, 
though it has been considerably enlarged since 
last year. J. H. D. preached from these words 
of St. Paul : " For I delight in the law of God 
after the inward man, but I see another law in 



186 REMINISCENCES OF 

my members, warring against the law of my mind, 
and bringing me into captivity to the law of 
sin, which is in my members." He preached one of 
the most powerful and heart-searching discourses 
that I ever heard, showing that we may delight in 
the law of God, love to see morality prosper and 
flourish in the world, and even rejoice to hear the 
gospel preached, and at the same time be as far 
from the kingdom of heaven as the openly rebel- 
lious, because the natural heart has not been 
changed, not been born again of that incorruptible 
seed, " the Word of God." Prayer was then of- 
fered, and the meeting closed. Surely the Lord 
did preside, to bless and to break unto His disci- 
ples the bread of life. 

At four o'clock p.m., the house was again packed 
closely, and still a very large number remained 
outside in the yard. I understand they had a good 
meeting. In the part of the house where I was, 
H. S., from Cincinnati, first broke the silence by 
vocal prayer. Then Dr. E. C. Y., from Ohio, 
preached an excellent sermon from the text : 
" Lord, to whom shall we go ? Thou hast the 
words of eternal life." 

At the tea-table this evening, notice was given 
that there would be a meeting in this (Atlantic) 
Hotel, this evening at eight and one-half o'clock. 
At that hour the guests of the house, together 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 187 

with many others, met in the parlor and hall. W. 
W. read a chapter in St. John's gospel, commenc- 
ing : " Let not your heart be troubled." Then 
he prayed, and afterward spoke about half an hour 
in a feeling and earnest manner, taking for his sub- 
ject the chapter just read. C. F. Coffin followed 
him with a short but interesting discourse. Then 
J. H. D. offered fervent prayer, and this ended the 
service of the meeting. Thus closed this beautiful 
Sabbath day. The Lord is indeed yet mindful of 
His people, and delights to meet with them and 
bless them. 

Second day evening, 17th. — We have had an- 
other very pleasant day, and I am feeling quite 
comfortable. I think I am gaining faster here than 
I should if at home. Have attended two long ses- 
sions today. Am somewhat fatigued, but the night 
will afford me rest. Our Yearly Meeting for the 
transaction of the affairs of the Church convened 
this morning at nine o'clock. The number pres- 
ent, I think, was full larger than last year. After 
a time of solemn silence, in which the blessed 
presence of the Holy Spirit was sensibly felt to 
overshadow us, our dear friend, J. H. D. bowed 
himself before the Most High God, and on behalf 
of the assembly returned thanks to the Father of 
all our mercies for His great goodness to us at this 
time, in thus condescending to spread over us the 



188 REMINISCENCES OF 

canopy of His love, and earnestly prayed for a 
continuance of this heavenly covering during the 
succeeding sessions of this meeting. 

We impressively felt the great blank made, 
since last year, in our meeting, in the removal by 
death of our dear Dr. Tobey, who had for many 
years acceptably served the meeting as Clerk. 
The assistant Clerk opened the meeting. During 
the service of reading the queries and answers, this 
afternoon, much salutary counsel was given by 
dear Friends who were with us. The subject of 
the use of tobacco, which is so prevalent at the 
present day, and from which the members of our 
Society are not entirely exempt, was feelingly in- 
troduced by our dear friend William H. Chase, and 
a full and free sentiment was expressed by the 
meeting in regard to it. The result was, that a 
Minute of advice was directed to be sent to our 
subordinate meetings, dissuading Friends from the 
use of that noxious weed. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 189 



CHAPTER VII. 
ESSAYS ON SUNDRY PSALMS. 

The following essays were written by 
Moses Bailey during his solitary hours in 
1867-1868. 

FIRST PSALM. 

In the first of that wonderful collection of sa- 
cred songs, the reading and contemplation of 
which has brought comfort and consolation to 
many a stricken, mourning soul, the writer in his 
happy mood of reflection and exultant joy of 
heart produced by his own felt experience, breaks 
forth in language replete with devotion to God, ex- 
tolling the condition of the righteous man. 

First, he goes on to portray negatively his happy 
condition, saying: "Blessed is the man that walk- 
eth not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth 
in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the 
scornful;" then he proceeds to state the positive 
side of the character of one blessed of God : "His 
delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law 



190 REMINISCENCES OF 

doth he meditate day and night." To such a man 
as this, who refrains from evil, and whose heart is 
fixed at all times to serve the Lord, delighting in 
His commandments, the unfailing promise of Him 
whose words are yea and amen forever, is, that he 
shall " never want any good thing/' Countless 
blessings of the present life shall be his, and in 
the world to come he shall have a seat at God's 
right hand in glory, with all the untold joys of 
heaven in possession. 

Then, to complete the picture and impress it 
still more strongly and vividly upon the mind, as 
if all the promised blessings were not sufficient to 
induce a person to lead a life of godliness, the 
writer goes on to portray the condition and the re- 
ward of the ungodly : "They shall not stand in the 
judgment, nor be found in the congregation of the 
righteous, but are like the chaff which the wind 
driveth away; for the way of the ungodly shall 
perish." " How are they brought into desolation 
as in a moment ! they are utterly consumed with 
terrors." 

Of the two characters presented before us in 
this Psalm, the whole world is composed. While 
we with our imperfect judgment may not be able 
to understand and see exactly where the dividing 
line between these two classes should be drawn, 
yet there is a line on one or the other side of 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 191 

which all mankind must stand; and He who 
knoweth all things, even the secret thoughts, and 
the very intents of all men's hearts, knows where 
each one is. 

In view of these things, and of the assurance of 
unfailing happiness for all the devoted followers of 
the Lord while passing through the transitory- 
scenes of time, and of then being ushered into the 
presence of God to dwell with Him in heaven 
eternally, who would not shun the counsel and fel- 
lowship of ungodly men, and delight to do the will 
of Him who is so abundantly willing and anxious 
to do for His children above all that they can ask 
or even think ? " No good thing will He withhold 
from them that walk uprightly. ,, The promise of 
Christ to His disciples is, that they shall have 
an hundred-fold in this life, and in the world to 
come, everlasting life. Do we believe these gra- 
cious promises, and will we accept the proffered 
boon? Would that we might accept them with 
grateful hearts and a living faith, believe on the 
Son of God as he was manifested in the flesh, be- 
lieve in the atoning sacrifice which He made of His 
life for the sins of the world, believe in His resur- 
rection from the dead and ascension into heaven, 
where he ever liveth to make intercession for all 
those who come unto the Father by Him, and be- 
lieve in the Holy Ghost as a guide and counsellor, 



192 REMINISCENCES OF 

leading those who heed His teachings, into all 
truth and righteousness. 



THIRTY-SECOND PSALM. 

Although the author of this sweet song, so ex- 
pressive of the happiness of every regenerate soul, 
was the same who in the fifty-first Psalm so hum- 
bly confessed his sin unto God, imploring mercy 
and forgiveness, it is very apparent that his feel- 
ings were widely different at each time of writing. 
And what, we are ready to inquire, could have 
been the reason for this marked contrast ? We 
think the answer is simply this : in the one case it 
is the expression of the feelings of one over- 
whelmed with shame and contrition because of his 
transgressions, pleading with God for the restora- 
tion of the joys of His salvation, and the uphold- 
ing of His Holy Spirit. . . In the other, the one we 
are now considering, his prayer has been heard, 
his sins have been forgiven, the joys of salvation 
have been restored, the darkness has been re- 
moved, the light of heaven is beaming again upon 
him, and the approving smile of his loving Father 
assures him of his restoration to the divine favor. 

Now, with a heart overflowing with joy, such as 
only a pardoned sinner can know, David breaks 
forth in the language which we find him using 









A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 193 

at the commencement of this rapturous song : 
" Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, 
whose sin is covered." " Blessed is the man unto 
whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity." 

Then, as if to make the contrast more striking, 
he refers to his previous condition, when the hand 
of the Lord was heavy upon him, when his bones 
waxed old, and his moisture was turned into the 
drought of summer, by reason of his distress, — 
figures strongly expressive of the effect upon his 
physical system of his intense mental anguish be- 
cause of his sins, while he "kept silence," refraining 
from acknowledging them by confession to God. 
Has not this been the condition of thousands of 
sinners since that day ? Have they not been so 
burdened with their sins, and felt so keenly the 
pangs of an awakened conscience, that the fever 
was hot upon them, and the freshness and vitality 
of life was being consumed ? But when, like 
David, they yielded their pride and stubborn will, 
and acknowledged their iniquity unto the Lord, 
and no longer covered their sin, how quickly, with 
him, did they find that God was plenteous in mercy 
and ready to forgive. 

In graphic language the Psalmist goes on to de- 
scribe the joys, confidence, and security of that soul 
from whom the burden of guilt has been lifted, and 
to whom the assurance of salvation has been im- 
13 



19-4 REMINISCENCES OF 

parted. — " Surely in the floods of great waters, 
they shall not come nigh unto him, .... he that 
trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him 
about." Then he gives expression to his own 
happy trust, in these words : " Thou art my hiding- 
place ; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou 
shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance." 
In conclusion, he calls upon the righteous to be 
glad in the Lord and rejoice, and shout for joy. 



PSALM EIGHTY-FOUR. 

Written for his Bible class. 

It is not certainly known who was the author of 
this beautiful Psalm, but it is generally believed to 
have been written by Jehoiachin during the cap- 
tivity and his imprisonment at Babylon. He was 
king of Judah at the time when Nebuchadnezzar, 
king of Babylon, conquered Jerusalem and took 
captive the Jews. Jehoiachin was kept in prison 
about thirty-seven years, or until the death of Neb- 
uchadnezzar, when his successor, Evil-merodach, in 
the first year of his reign, brought him forth and 
set his throne above those of the other kings who 
were captives in Babylon. It is supposed that 
while he was in exile, he composed this pathetic 
song so fraught with remembrances of joyful times 
and scenes long since passed away. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 195 

Whether he was the author of this Psalm or not, 
the spirit which pervades it is such as would be 
most highly becoming a devoted Jew, captive in a 
foreign land, shut up in a prison, excluded from 
companionship with those of his own nation, and 
having no prospect of ever being released. How 
natural that such a one should look back to his 
former condition and rank, when he and his people 
had been privileged to go up to the courts of the 
Lord's House, and to offer sacrifices upon His 
altars, and that his soul should be filled with long- 
ing desires once more to enjoy that which seems 
to have been to him the crowning happiness of his 
life. 

While thus reflecting on the past, in mental 
vision he beholds the birds finding a safe retreat 
where they may build their nests and rear their 
young, even the desolate altars of God, his king. 
Quickly, however, he passes from the plaintive to 
a rapturous strain, as he recalls the blessedness of 
those days of worship, when every one in Zion ap- 
peared before God, going from strength to strength, 
and exultant in His praise. Then he exclaims : 
" A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I 
had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my 
God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." 
Probably he realized now more fully than before, 
the value of his former sanctuary privileges. And 



196 REMINISCENCES OF 

is it not thus with us all ? We do not, and perhaps 
cannot, fully appreciate any of the blessings of life 
until we are deprived of them. When they are 
taken from us, we look back and see their excel- 
lency and beauty, and wonder why we placed so 
little value on them at the time when they were 
ours to enjoy. 

Some of us have been surrounded with all the 
blessings and comforts which we could reasonably 
ask, — the privilege of living in a Christian com- 
munity, with dear friends to share our joys, and 
to sympathize with us in sorrow, with religious 
instructors and Church associations, and the 
greatest liberty to worship God according to our 
desires, and the dictates of our own consciences. 
Do we sufficiently appreciate our blessings ? Can 
we say with the Psalmist, " One thing have I 
desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I 
may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of 
my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to 
inquire in His temple." 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 197 

PSALM ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE. 

This poetic effusion was the production of David, 
that servant of the Lord who is sometimes called 
the " Sweet Singer of Israel," and very appropri- 
ate this appellation is, for where, in any time, an- 
cient or modern, shall we find &ny writings, with 
such depth of pathos, reverential awe, and humility 
of soul, embodied in language so full of meaning, 
and fraught with such consolation and cheer to the 
child of God, as are contained in the inspiring 
songs of this devoted servant of the Lord ? In the 
reading and contemplation of these, how oft the 
Christian traveler has found comfort and a re- 
newal of strength, and the mourning soul been 
turned from despondency and gloom, to look up 
with hope and confiding trust in Him who was not 
only the God of David, but is as truly our God. 
Who can contemplate the sentiments expressed in 
these Psalms without being forced to acknowledge 
that no power but the divine could ever have in- 
dited them ? 

The writer of this Psalm, at the time when he 
composed it, had perhaps been reflecting on some 
of his wrong-doings, the sins which he had commit- 
ted in thought and acts, which he knew were all 
unknown to the world, and for which God had re- 
proved him, and thereby brought him to a realiz- 
ing sense of his condition, and to repentance and 



198 REMINISCENCES OF 

acknowledgment, with humble pleadings for mercy 
and forgiveness, which were graciously granted 
unto him. Thus he was brought to see and realize 
more fully, perhaps, than ever before, the omnis- 
cience and omnipresence of God. These reflec- 
tions may have suggested to his mind the theme 
of the Psalm under consideration. Certainly 
David's experience had been such as would have 
wonderfully fitted him for the expression of such 
sentiments as are here embodied. He had known 
what it was to incur the just displeasure of Jeho- 
vah for sin, and to have his soul enveloped in dark- 
ness and gloom as a result, and he had known, too, 
of God's favor being restored to him, and of en- 
joying a state of reconciliation and acceptance in 
His sight. He could look back over the past, and 
behold how mercifully and lovingly he had been 
dealt with in the various portions of his life, 
showing most conclusively to his understanding 
that God's care had been continually over him. 
And now from his own personal experience of 
His dealings, he is prepared most emphatically 
to say, "O Lord, Thou hast searched me and 
known me." He now realizes that the Omniscient 
saw him and knew him when afar off, just as well 
as when he was nigh, that in whatever place he 
was his very thoughts were recognized and re- 
membered, and that His Spirit followed wherever 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 199 

he went. Every word that he spoke, and even 
every conception of the mind, God saw and took 
an account of. 

How solemn the thought, that God takes cog- 
nizance, not only of our every act, but also the 
very thoughts and motives of the mind ; that all 
things are naked and open to the eye of Him with 
whom we have to do. We may well say with 
the Psalmist, " Such knowledge is too wonderful 
for me." 

To the sinner, the reflection that for every evil 
thought and every idle word, he must give an ac- 
count in the day of judgment, is very painful, and 
indeed it would overwhelm the soul, were it not 
for another thought, that the God of justice and 
judgment is also a being of great mercy and in- 
finite love, far more ready to forgive than the sin- 
ner is to ask for pardon. He has provided a way 
whereby He can be just, and yet the justifier of 
him who believeth in Jesus. O, the depth of this 
love ! How amazing ! We are compelled to say, 
it is too wonderful for me; and yet we know it 
is true 

To the believing child of God there can be no 
happier thought than this, that in whatever posi- 
tion he may be placed, in the busy mart or in the 
most secluded dell, by night or by day, whether 



200 REMINISCENCES OF 

sleeping or waking, God's loving care is always 
over him. And while man may impugn and mis- 
judge, looking as he does at the outward appear- 
ance, God's judgment is always true, for He looks 
at the heart. But alas, how many poor souls are 
trusting in the delusive hope that the external 
covering which they have put on is sufficient to 
conceal their sinful hearts, that the seemingly 
righteous deeds which they are doing will purchase 
for them salvation. Thus do they unconsciously 
deceive themselves, and become lulled into a false 
security from which they can only be awakened 
by the mighty thunderings of God resounding 
through the deep caverns of their soul. This, and 
this alone, can rend the self-righteous covering, 
and lay open to view the blackness and darkness, 
and depravity of the human heart. It is only 
when God, in the greatness of His love, thus tears 
asunder the covering, that man can see and realize 
his lost condition. When, by the illumination of 
the Holy Spirit, he thus sees himself, he is ready 
to cry out in anguish, with Job, " I abhor myself, 
and repent in dust and ashes/' And now he sees 
not only the vileness of his heart by nature, but 
also the incompetency of the cloak beneath which 
he has been endeavoring to hide his sins from the 
All-seeing Eye. Now what shall be done ? He 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 201 

can do nothing. He is powerless to save himself. 
All are alike under sentence of death. There is 
no arm in all the world that can save. 

When man sees himself in his true condition, 
meriting nothing but the indignation of God, justly- 
condemned of Him, with no place of refuge from 
His presence, then, in his extremity, he is ready to 
cry out in humility and anguish, " God be merciful 
to me a sinner ! " And now the Holy Spirit 
comes to the rescue, and leads the poor suppliant 
to the cross, where Jesus bore the judgments of 
God for sin. In Him is his redemption ; in the 
sacrifice of the Son of God his salvation is made 
possible. It is by receiving Him that we are born 
again, born of the Spirit, created in Christ Jesus, 
and by thus becoming " new creatures, old things 
are passed away; behold all things are become 
new." 



202 REMINISCENCES OF 

THOUGHTS ON THE SECOND PSALM. 

This poetic effusion of the inspired Psalmist 
was undeniably suggested in consequence of the 
turmoil and general agitation appearing among the 
nations of the earth, in consequence of the malig- 
nity of their hearts toward God, and determined 
opposition to His law. King David breaks forth 
in strains of manifold astonishment and con- 
tempt at what his eyes behold, and what in pro- 
phetic vision God grants him to see through 
the vista of coming time. " Why," he astonish- 
ingly and indignantly exclaims, " this raging of the 
people, and this gathering together, in confederate 
council, of the kings and rulers of the earth, as 
though, by the combination of their puny strength, 
they could successfully compete with God, or by 
any means thwart the purpose of Jehovah !" 

While the writer here undoubtedly had in mind 
the situation and plans of the rebellious nations 
of the earth, who were determined to set at 
naught the counsels of God, and put a stop to His 
worship, yet, far more than this, his conceptions 
took in the coming and reign of Him who should 
be King of the whole earth forever, to whom not 
only the inhabitants of this world should confess 
and bow, but also the angels in heaven, with all 
" the spirits of just men made perfect," and should 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 203 

cast their crowns in reverent adoration before 
Him, and acknowledge Him to be Sovereign Lord. 

Although it is God's unchangeable decree that 
the Messiah shall thus reign supreme, yet men 
of all time have tried, and still are attempting, to 
defeat His purpose. At the very ushering of 
Jesus into the world, with what opposition and 
raging of the people was He confronted, and how 
did kings and rulers band themselves together to 
accomplish His destruction. 

The very same spirit still prevails in the world, 
and is raging in the hearts of the children of men. 
The world is saying, as it did then, " We will not 
have this man to reign over us ! " 

Then the Psalmist goes on in prophetic lan- 
guage to personate the Messiah as saying: "I will 
declare the decree. The Lord hath said unto Me, 
Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee." 
And God's promise to Him is, that all nations 
shall be subdued unto Him. Utterly vain, and 
worse than useless shall be all their strivings 
against Him. Not only will He discomfit and 
subdue them, but they shall be rent asunder, and 
the people scattered abroad through the earth, so 
that they can be no more collected and re- organ- 
ized than the fragments of a piece of pottery can 
be re-united into a vessel, after it has been clashed 
into pieces. 






204 REMINISCENCES OF 

Then comes the earnest and pathetic exhorta- 
tion to kings, and all in authority, to listen to in- 
struction and learn wisdom while opportunity is 
afforded them, lest, continuing in rebellion, the 
Lord shall suddenly come and utterly destroy 
them. 

In the conclusion of this short, but comprehen- 
sive and instructive prophetic Psalm, are portrayed 
the blessings attendant upon all those who, with 
devotion of soul and fixedness of purpose, put 
their trust in the Lord, and are obedient to the 
teachings of Him whom all must confess to be 
Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Then why, 
O why will mortal man rebel till death and de- 
struction are his doom, when by obedience he can 
have life and joy eternally ! 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 205 



CHAPTER VIII. 
ESSAYS, LETTERS, ETC. 

INTRODUCTION OF THE GOSPEL. 

The prophet Isaiah, long centuries ago, looking 
in faith and confiding trust in God, afar down the 
corridor of time, saw in rapt vision Him who at 
the beginning was promised to our first parents in 
the garden of Eden, as the seed of the woman 
who should come and crush the serpent's power, 
and broke forth in the following rapturous strain : 
" Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given ; 
and the government shall be upon His shoulder; 
and His name shall be called Wonderful, Coun- 
selor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, 
the Prince of Peace." The prophet Micah also 
took up the strain, and told us where this Prince 
should be born, and over whom He should bear 
rule : " But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though 
thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet 
out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is 
to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have 
been of old, from everlasting." 



206 REMINISCENCES OF 

These are a sample of the prophecies with which 
the Old Testament Scriptures abound, pointing to 
the coming of the Son of God and the ushering 
in of a new dispensation, of which the Mosaic was 
but a type or shadow, until He came, who was the 
Anti-type, in whom the law was fulfilled, and by 
whom its rites were abolished. 

At the time appointed by God, He, to whom all 
types and prophecies directly pointed, was ushered 
into the world. When the period drew near for 
the consummation of these, God sent the angel 
Gabriel into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a 
virgin named Mary, who was of the lineage of 
David, informing her that she should bear a son, 
and bidding her call his name Jesus, which means 
to save — "for He shall save His people from their 
sins." The angel further said to her : " He shall 
be great, and shall be called the Son of the High- 
est." Then, when Jesus was born, an angel ap- 
peared to certain shepherds in the field, as they 
were watching their flocks by night, and the glory 
of the Lord shone about them, which caused them 
to greatly fear. Then the angel spake to them, 
saying: "Fear not; for behold I bring you good 
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 
For unto you is born this day in the city of David, 
a Saviour which is Christ the Lord." He also 
said: "Ye shall find the babe lying in a manger. 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 207 

And suddenly there was with the angel, a multi- 
tude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
good will toward men." When the angels were 
gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds 
went to Bethlehem and found it as the angel had 
said. At that same time there came wise men 
from the eastern country, who in their observations 
of the planetary system, discovered a new star, 
which they at once believed to be an indication of 
the coming of Him whom all the Jews were look- 
ing for with anxious expectation as their deliverer 
and king. These men came to Jerusalem asking, 
" Where is He that is born king of the Jews ? For 
we have seen His star in the east, and are come to 
worship Him." May not this star have been the 
one referred to in prophecy ? This inquiry greatly 
troubled the people, and when Herod heard of it, 
he too was troubled, and called together the chief 
priests and the scribes, and demanded of them 
where Christ should be born. They answered him, 
in Bethlehem of Judah, as it is written by the 
prophet, and cited the prophecy. The king then 
sent privately for the wise men, and asked them 
particularly at what time the star appeared. Then 
he sent them to Bethlehem, bidding them search 
diligently for the child, and when they had found 
him, bring him word. In obedience to Herod they 






208 REMINISCENCES OF 



departed, and lo, the star which they had seen, 
went before them, till it came and stood over the 
place where the young child was. When they 
saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding joy. 
They entered the house, and when they saw the 
babe, they fell down and worshipped Him, and 
presented unto Him their gifts, gold, frankincense 
and myrrh. 

" And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, 
and in favor with God and man," as had been fore- 
told by the prophet Isaiah : " There shall come 
forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch 
shall grow out of his roots ; and the Spirit of the 
Lord shall rest upon Him ; the spirit of counsel 
and might ; the spirit of knowledge and of the 
fear of the Lord, and shall make Him of quick 
understanding. ,, 

This is He who was with God before the world 
was, who was God, and by whose power all things 
were created ; this is He that spoke unto the 
fathers through the mouth of His prophets; the 
same that manifested Himself unto Moses in the 
burning bush ; the same that Moses told the chil- 
dren of Israel the Lord God would raise up unto 
them like unto Himself; He of whom it was writ- 
ten, " Behold I will send My messenger, and he 
shall prepare the way before Me"; He before 
whom John went as the forerunner, crying in the 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 209 

wilderness, " Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and 
make His paths straight." 

And now this same blessed Jesus, who laid 
down His life a sacrifice for the sins of the whole 
world, paying the penalty of man's transgressions, 
which he could not of himself by any means pay, 
has come to each and every one of us, and is in- 
viting and pleading with us in the most persuasive 
language to accept this proffered ransom, and thus 
be restored to life and favor with God, accepting a 
title to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, 
and that fadeth not away, "eternal in the heavens." 
This He offers to every one without money and 
without price. 

The following essay by Moses Bailey 
seems properly to come in here. 

" For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision Availeth 
Anything, nor Uncircumcision, but a New Creature." 

This is a doctrine delivered by St. Paul in his 
epistle to the Galatian church, and it is in perfect 
accordance with the words of our blessed Lord to 
Nicodemus, that ruler of the Jews who came to 
Jesus by night with the acknowledgment that he 
knew He was a teacher sent from God, since he 
was persuaded that no man could do the miracles 
He was doing except God were with him. In reply 
14 



210 REMINISCENCES OF 

to this, Jesus said : " Except a man be born again, 
he cannot see the kingdom of God." 

In these words of our Saviour, doubtless He 
had special reference to the course Nicodemus was 
then pursuing, and the motives which at that very 
time actuated his conduct, while at the same time 
He gave utterance to a fundamental truth which 
would hold good to all men, and in all coming time. 

Nicodemus admitted to Jesus his belief in Him, 
but he did so in a private and timorous manner. 
He came at night, fearing men might see and un- 
derstand his acknowledgment of Christ. It would 
seem that he wished to be a disciple, but did not 
wish to avow the teacher. His natural will was 
not subdued ; he wanted to be a Christian, but in 
his own way. And here Jesus takes occasion to 
tell him that his knowing the truth is not suffi- 
cient, but that he "must be born again" in order 
to enter the kingdom of God. His whole nature 
must be changed, and his own will entirely given 
up to the divine will. He does not say that his 
partial confession of belief in Him is not good, 
that his half-hearted obedience is all worthless, or 
that he is not nearer the kingdom of heaven be- 
cause of it, but He does say that it is not sufficient 
to secure an entrance therein. And if unable to 
enter the kingdom, what great difference did it 
make with him whether near or far away, except 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 211 

that partial obedience is better than a total disre- 
gard of God's law, inasmuch as it makes one a 
better citizen in all the relations of life. But, 
after conceding this, the great truth still remains 
the same, that without an entire change of our 
moral nature, whereby man becomes a new crea- 
ture in Christ Jesus, old things passed away and 
all things become new, he still remains unrecon- 
ciled to God, and unfit to enter the kingdom. 

A man may do a great many things that are 
right, and avoid much that is wrong, he may even 
make a high profession of godliness, he may be 
kind and generous, make sacrifices and perform 
deeds which the world would look upon and pro- 
nounce noble, and which in themselves are truly 
good, yet, when judged by Him who discerns the 
motive that prompts the action, He perceives it 
was not pure, not for God's glory, nor from love to 
Him, but of a selfish character, and is therefore 
not accepted and rewarded. 

It may be natural for one to tell the truth, 
to deal honestly with their neighbor, to be kind 
and generous, and still have no principle at heart 
for which they do these good acts, but simply 
because it is their nature so to do, without any 
reference to the law of God whatever ; but let 
temptations assail them, and how quickly do they 
yield ! So we conclude that even our best acts 



212 re:: - of 

and most generous deeds, when performed from 

: ther motive than love, first to God, and sec- 
ondly to our neighbor, furnish us with no claim to 
the kingdom of heaven. 

ere are important steps to be taken before 
,t change, called a new creation, or being 
born again, born of the Spirit, can be attained, 
and the very first of these is repentance. But 
what is repentance ? Is it simply to be sorr; 
some special sin, and to resolve to do it no more ? 
This may be indeed a preliminary step to repent- 

. but if it is nothing more, if the individual 
stop there, it is unavailing as respects salvation. 
All this sorrow, and all these resolutions, though 
good in themselves, may be the result of pure 
= e".r.s/.::ess. 

Repentance, then, in order to be availing, must 
be the renouncing and turning from all sin, be- 

e it is contrar will, and therefore 

displeasing to Him. This alone is the godly sor- 

which worketh repentance unto salvation. 
When a person begins to feel thus, and to be actu- 
ated by motives of this character, through c 
to the operations of the Holy Spirit upon 
heart, he has commenced, in a degree at least, to 
become a new creature. The natural will is no* 
beginning to yield subjectively to the will of 
and the desires and impulses of his heart are 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 213 

drawn toward Him, preparatory to the full sur- 
render to Christ and acceptance of Him as his 
Saviour from sin, which results in his becoming a 
son by adoption, and receiving that witness of the 
Spirit which enables him to say, Abba, Father. 

By that Spirit the love of God is now shed 
abroad in his heart, and he is henceforth actuated 
by new motives ; his affections have become so 
changed that he hates all those sinful things he 
once loved, and loves all those holy things he may 
have previously hated. He has, however, nothing 
in himself whereof to glory, either of goodness, or 
of works. All are of the abundant, unmerited 
grace of God. 

What soul can comprehend, or what mind can 
fathom, the richness and the depths of the love of 
God, and the greatness of His salvation ? Instead 
of being banished as rebels and left under right- 
eous condemnation, we are accepted children, 
folded in the embrace of everlasting love. O, 
blessed, wondrous thought ! O, glorious, happy 
change ! May God grant us to know a complete 
deliverance from all human religiousness and self- 
confidence, and to realize of a truth that we are 
indeed new creatures, born again, heirs of Godp 
even joint heirs with Jesus Christ, to a kingdom 
glorious, incorruptible, eternal. 



214 REMINISCENCES OF 

Under date of Ninth month, sixth, 1868, 
Moses Bailey writes: 

We had at our meeting this morning the very 
acceptable company of our dear friends, Dr. E. C. 
Young of Ohio, and Charles F. Coffin of Fairfield, 
Maine. Soon after the meeting was gathered, Dr. 
Young offered supplication. Then our dear, aged 
friend, C. F. Coffin, addressed the meeting in an 
able, eloquent and feeling manner, commencing 
with the words, " How beautiful upon the moun- 
tains are the feet of him that bringeth good tid- 
ings." He portrayed in a vivid manner the great 
satisfaction and comfort a Christian enjoys in con- 
templating the life and character of the ancient 
prophets, who were the chosen instruments of the 
Lord, being instructed and commissioned by Him 
to speak in His behalf to the people, foretelling 
the coming of the Son of God in the flesh, His 
life and labors among men, His betrayal and cru- 
cifixion, His resurrection and ascension to His 
native glory in heaven. He also brought to view 
that comfort and satisfaction which is developed in 
the study of the lives of the apostles of our Lord, 
as those lives stand delineated on the sacred page, 
showing their faith and unwavering fidelity to Him 
in whom were concentrated all their hopes of 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 215 

happiness, both for time and eternity. He also 
showed how the Christian loves to contemplate 
the beauty he beholds in the lives of his cotempo- 
raries, who are endeavoring to walk in the foot- 
steps of our risen and glorified Lord. After he 
concluded, Dr. Y. arose, and after expressing the 
comfort and satisfaction it had afforded him to lis- 
ten to the discourse of his dear, aged brother, he 
quoted the text: "I am not ashamed of the gospel 
of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salva- 
tion, to every one that believeth." From these 
words he preached a very excellent discourse. We 
had a highly favored meeting, the Lord Himself 
being in our midst to bless the bread broken for 
the satisfying of hungry souls. 

Ninth month, ninth, he writes: 

Last Seventh day our Quarterly Meeting was 
held at Manchester. It was large, many of our 
friends from neighboring quarters being present. 
Dr. E. C. Young of Ohio was again with us. On 
him devolved most of the vocal exercises of the 
meeting. The gospel current flowed in a broad, 
deep channel. Would that the words of counsel, 
admonition and warning so largely proclaimed in 
our hearing, might have place in our hearts, caus- 
ing some of us in an especial manner to enter into 



216 REMINISCENCES OF 

a very close and strict examination of ourselves, to 
see what the foundation of our hope is on which 
we are building, whether we are indeed founded 
upon the immutable Rock, against which the gates 
of hell shall not prevail, or whether we are placing 
our hopes on that which may be comparable to the 
sand, which the first wave of adversity may wash 
away, leaving the entire superstructure we have 
proudly built thereon to totter, fall, and be swept 
into oblivious darkness. 

In Moses Bailey's diary we find the fol- 
lowing, under date of Eighth month, second, 

1868. 

Prosperity is granted, and the smiles of a kind 
providence shine in glowing radiance around my 
path, and God, in love and mercy, is pleased to 
grant me temporal, as well as spiritual blessings 
richly to enjoy. I do feel at times very lonely, 
having no dear, loving companion to share these 
blessings, which would double their value. I know 
what it is to have an earthly friend to sympathize 
in all my joys and sorrows ; I know what it is to 
be deprived of that friend, and to be left to bear 
all life's burdens and griefs, with no dear, fond 
heart on earth to pity and console, and no one 1 
share with me the comforts and joys of life. Bi 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 217 

again I think I know what it is to have that ach- 
ing void filled by the confidence and affection of 
another dear one, who I trust is, and will ever be, 
in the same manner and to the same degree, a 
sharer with me in all the ills and joys of life. 
And O, how shall I sufficiently praise and adore 
the name of Him who in His great love and mercy 
has thus blessed and provided for me. Although 
the Lord has seen fit to chasten me very sore, 
inflicting a wound that it seemed impossible could 
ever be healed, causing grief no mortal power 
could alleviate, yet He who never chastens His 
children but for their good, knew just when, and 
where, and how, to apply the healing remedy. 

My health is really quite good. Have just re- 
turned from New York. My friends say it agrees 
with me much to go there, and I tell them that 
I am far more sensible of it than they can pos- 
sibly be. 



218 REMINISCENCES OF 

LETTER TO H. C. J. 
Winthrop, Me., Ninth month, 14th, 1868. 

.... Another day of fleeting time has rolled 
around, and with its departure we know that one 
more of the intervening days which separate us is 
passed over, but it is also bearing us along over the 
ocean of time, and bringing us just so much nearer 
the end of our earthly course, when we shall again 
have to be separated, not for a few days or weeks 
only, but for the remainder of our existence here. 
Solemn indeed are such reflections as these, but 
methinks it is well to allow them to have their due 
place and proper effect on our minds 

What language shall I use to express my joy 
and gratitude for another of those precious epistles 
with which thou hast favored me ; it is like a re- 
freshing shower of rain to the dry and thirsty land. 
Thy letters are very cheering to me in my lonely 
hours ! . . . . 

Thou takes some interest in political affairs. I 
have sent thee a Boston paper giving a little ac- 
count of the result of the Maine election. Thee 
will see by it that we are not all copperheads ! 
We expect at the presidential election to do even 
better than we have done at this time 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 219 

H. C. J. TO M. B. 

I have retired to my room for the night, and it is 
near ten o'clock, but I do not feel so much like 
sleeping as I do like talking to thee. Wish I 
might do it without the medium of the pen, but 
this cannot be, for we are separated by hundreds 
of miles of distance. But the cords which unite 
our hearts are of unlimited length, and I trust that 
He who has our first love, has strengthened and 
cemented them by His approval. May all the 
praise be given to Him who ever rules the desti- 
nies of His believing, trusting children, however 
unworthy they may be. O, for an enlarged capac- 
ity to praise Him for His goodness and wonderful 
love ! . . . . 

When we are separated by death, may we be 
able to look beyond with the sweet hope of a more 
glorious re-union in the bright abodes of everlast- 
ing bliss, where death cannot sever, nor time cor- 
rode, but where 

When all the ages of time are past, 
And every earthly course is run, 

Heaven's joys will then forever last, 
Eternity be just begun. 

Glorious hope ! Happy prospect ! Those unions 
are perfect, trials are ended, and all is joy in the 
extreme, evermore ! . . . . 



220 REMINISCENCES OF 

Thou spoke in thy letter of coming directly here, 
after Lynn Quarterly Meeting. I hope thee will 
stay until after the Anniversary, if it does not 
seem wrong to leave thy own Monthly and Quar- 
terly Meetings. I will meet thee in the city. 

After returning from a journey to New 
York, in the autumn of 1868, Moses Bailey 
wrote his friend H. C. J. as follows: 

It is with feelings of much pleasure that I em- 
brace this early opportunity, after reaching home, 
to inform thee of my safe and comfortable journey, 
for which I have felt a good degree of thank- 
fulness to our great and good Preserver. After 
parting with thee at Newburgh, we had a lovely 
passage down the river. The weather on the 
water was cool and very comfortable, and the scen- 
ery, as thou knows, is most delightful. There was 
nothing to prevent my drinking in pleasure to my 
fill, except the absence of company to converse 
with and to help me appreciate and enjoy the con- 
tinuous and ever-varying landscape scenes, to- 
gether with the works of art, which are every 
moment being presented to the eye of the traveler 
sailing down the majestic Hudson, — a river which 
certainly deserves to be ranked, at least in point of 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 221 

beauty and grandeur of the scenery on its banks, 
among the first in the world. 

We arrived in New York at six and one-half 
o'clock, and immediately took a carriage for the 
Boston depot. Arrived in Boston at six this morn- 
ing, and took the seven o'clock train for Portland 
and home, arriving at Winthrop at four this even- 
ing, having been from home ten days. A week of 
this time I spent with thee and thy father's family 
at your rural home, and I know thou realizes 
something of how I enjoyed it. It was a pleasant 
journey, and a most excellent visit. 

Our entire acquaintance from the very com- 
mencement has to me been pleasant and congenial, 
and while it has been so, I have at the same time 
greatly desired to know of its being approved by 
Him, without whose sanction all our efforts in 
forming plans, and devising means for our happi- 
ness, will prove altogether vain and futile. In re- 
gard to the course we have pursued, and the more 
than ordinary attachment that has been the result, 
I have never been able to see that it has not 
had His approval. During the past week, I have 
felt more than ever convinced that it has. Every- 
thing in the direction we have been, and are, 
pursuing, looks pleasant. The Lord's name be 
praised that it is so. 



CHAPTER IX. 

SECOND MARRIAGE BIBLE CLASS 

JOURNEYINGS. 

On the thirteenth day of Tenth month, 
1868, Moses Bailey was married to Hannah 
C. Johnston, daughter of David Johnston, 
of Plattekill, Ulster County, New York. 

To give an account of this event, we can- 
not apparently do better than to quote from 
his wife's diary, Moses Bailey having left no 
record of it. 

Third day, Tenth month, 13th, 1868, — my wed- 
ding day ! The most important incident in my 
life's history, except the events of my birth and 
death. 

We were married at an appointed meeting held 
in Friends' Meeting House at Pleasant Valley, in 
Plattekill, at two o'clock p.m. The day was bright 
and beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. May this 
brightness be emblematical of the new life we 
have just begun ! As the material sun shone so 



224 REMINISCENCES OF 

brilliantly upon the earth, so may the Sun of 
Righteousness ever pervade our hearts, and we be 
filled with " joy and gladness," with love for each 
other, and, above all, for Him who we believe has 
approved our union, and given us His precious 
benediction. 

A large congregation of dear friends and rela- 
tives assembled to witness our marriage. Our 
friends, J. H. Coutant and wife, and T. O. Birdsall 
and wife, kindly officiated as groomsmen and 
bridesmaids. The meeting was favored with good 
preaching by H. S. Fry, S. Heaton, L. Gifford, and 
G. A. Carpenter. Fervent prayer was offered by 
H. S. F. One hundred and forty invited guests 
took tea with us at my father's house. Everything 
was propitious and very pleasant. How much we 
have to be thankful for ! 

Fourth day, 14 inst. — We went to Cornwall to 
attend Quarterly Meeting. Stopped at cousin N. 
T. Clark's. 

Fifth day. — Attended meeting. Bible School 
conference in the evening, before which I read a 
valedictory essay. 

Sixth day. — Attended meeting ; dined at J. T. 
G.'s, after which, called to see Hope Newbold, the 
only surviving member of the family of that hon- 
ored pioneer minister, David Sands. She is ninety 
years of age, and has proved the promise true : 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 225 

" Even to your old age I am He ; and even to hoar 
hairs will I carry you." She has not been " cast 
off in the time of old age ; nor forsaken when her 
strength faileth." We spent the night at uncle J. 
B.'s. Found dear cousin M. in much affliction, her 
husband being in Minnesota, sick, and she expect- 
ing to take her babe and go to him at once. 

Seventh day. — We returned to Plattekill. 

Sabbath day, Tenth month, 18th. — We at- 
tended meeting, and the Bible School in which I 
have been interested several years. Bade adieu to 
my scholars and the dear friends of my youth. 

Third day, Tenth month, 20th. — Left the dear 
parents, brothers, sisters, and the home of my 
childhood, in order to assume the new and respon- 
sible duties of a wife, in a distant eastern home. 
May the divine blessing rest upon us, and may He 
who has been our "strength in weakness" continue 
to support us in all the, as yet to us, unknown 
events of life. 

Tenth month, 24th. — Arrived at our pleasant 
home in Winthrop the twenty-first. Have received 
several calls today. My dear husband's friends 
greet me with kind words of welcome, for which I 
am truly grateful. 

About two months after his marriage, 
Moses Bailey and wife, in company with his 
15 



226 REMINISCENCES OF 

brother C. M. Bailey, and wife, made a visit 
to some friends in Lynn and New Bedford, 
Massachusetts, by special invitation, which 
they very much enjoyed. At the house of 
C. F. Coffin of Lynn, they were agreeably 
associated as guests w T ith John B. Gough, 
whose lecture on " Circumstances " they at- 
tended in the evening. 

On New Years day evening, 1869, Moses 
Bailey and his wife gave a reception to his 
nearest relatives, about forty in number, and 
all seemed to have a very enjoyable time. 
Kind greetings and congratulations were 
given to the bride, who especially appre- 
ciated the heart-cheering, cordial w T ords of 
welcome spoken by the dear mother and 
several other near relatives of his former 
wife. 

In the early part of the winter Moses 
Bailey and his wife organized a Bible class 
of adults, which met at their home for Scrip- 
ture study, one evening in each week, during 
the then usual winter recess of the Sab- 
bath School. This he very much enjoyed. 
These occasions served not only for im- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 227 

provement in Bible study, but also for social 
and literary enjoyment. Interesting essays 
were occasionally read by members of the 
class. Moses Bailey wrote the following : 

THE LEVITES. 

The Levites were descendants of Levi, the third 
son of Jacob and Leah. The name Levi signifies 
to adhere, or be joined. He was so named by his 
mother because she believed that the affection of 
Jacob would now be toward her by this new bond 
of union. 

Levi was born in Mesopotamia, about 1750 B.C., 
and was the grandfather of Moses, Jochebed, the 
mother of Moses, being his daughter. He lived to 
the age of one hundred and thirty-seven years. 

The tribe of Levi does not seem to be noticed 
as having any special pre-eminence over others, 
during the Egyptian bondage. Jacob at his death 
foreboded evil against the posterity of Levi for his 
treacherous massacre of the Shechemites. There 
does not seem to be any further mention of this 
tribe until Moses ascended the heights of Sinai to 
receive the law from the mouth of the Lord. 
When he came down from the mount he found the 
people had made a golden calf and were worship- 
ping it. After reproving them for their idolatry, 



228 REMINISCENCES OF 

Moses went and stood at the gate of the camp 
and cried unto the people saying, " Who is on the 
Lord's side ? Let him come unto me. And all 
the sons of Levi gathered themselves unto him." 
By this act of separation from the transgressors, 
and by publicly joining themselves unto the Lord, 
they proved themselves worthy of their name, and 
for which He seems to have signally honored them, 
in choosing them out from the tribes of Israel to 
minister at His altar. This is beautifully brought 
out in the blessing pronounced by Moses on the 
tribe of Levi, shortly before his death : " And of 
Levi he said : Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be 
with thy holy one, .... for they have observed 
thy word and kept thy covenant. They shall teach 
Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law; they 
shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sac- 
rifice upon thine altar." 

Levi had three sons and one daughter, viz., Ger- 
shon, Kohath, Merari, and Jochebed, the mother 
of Moses and Aaron, from whence descended the 
line of the priesthood. 

In the journeying of the children of Israel from 
Egypt to the promised land, the tabernacle, after 
its completion, was by divine direction placed in 
the care of the Levites. The command was : 
" When the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites 
shall take it down ; and when the tabernacle is to 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 229 

be pitched, the Levites shall set it up, and the 
Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle 
of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the 
congregation." 

This tribe now stands forth separate and apart, 
recognizing even in this work the spiritual as above 
the natural. They were now to take their place as 
substitutes for the first-born, "Because all the first- 
born are Mine : for on the day that I smote all the 
first-born in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto Me 
all the first-born in Israel. Behold I have taken 
the Levites .... instead of the first-born ; there- 
fore the Levites shall be Mine." 

As the cloud connected with the tabernacle, in 
which the glory of the Lord was manifested, sym- 
bolized the presence of Jehovah presiding over the 
congregation of Israel, so the Levites were ap- 
pointed, a royal guard about Him. 

As the entire service and care of the tabernacle 
was committed to the sons of Levi, it was need- 
ful to have a specific assignment of duties to each 
of them, so we find that to the Gershonites was 
given in charge the tabernacle and the tent, the 
covering thereof, the curtain and its cord. The 
Kohathites had charge of the ark, the table, 
the candlestick, the altars, and the vessels of the 
sanctuary. The sons of Merari were appointed to 
have chanre of the boards of the tabernacle and 



230 REMINISCENCES OF 

the bars thereof, the pillars with their sockets, 
and all the vessels thereof, etc. 

Before entering on the duties of these several 
divisions, Moses was commanded to number the 
Levites, all the male children from a month old 
and upward, and he found the number to be twen- 
ty-two thousand. He also numbered the first-born 
male children from a month old and upward, of all 
the other tribes of Israel, and found the number 
to be twenty-two thousand two hundred and 
seventy-three, exceeding by two hundred and 
seventy-three those redeemed by the Levites. For 
the redemption of each of these, five shekels were 
to be paid, and the money given unto Aaron and 
his sons. 

Still further, before the Levites could be ac- 
cepted for the service of the tabernacle, they must 
be purified, their bodies and their clothes washed, 
and their flesh shaved, after which a sacrifice of 
bullocks was offered as an atonement for their 
sins. Thus were they separated from among the 
children of Israel, and they were made eligible for 
their work, from the age of twenty-five years to 
that of fifty, when they were to cease from the 
service, and keep the charge only. 

No territorial possessions were allotted to them, 
but instead, they were to receive from the other 
tribes tithes of all the offerings of the children of 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 231 

Israel : " Behold I have given the children of Levi 
all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance. ,, Of 
these tithes the Levites were required to give unto 
the Lord a tenth, and it was to be the best thereof. 
And so also of all the tithes ; they must be " the 
best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of 
the wheat," etc. 

Very many things of interest occurred, as we 
find recorded in the Bible, in the long and cir- 
cuitous travels of the Israelites in their march 
from Egypt to the promised land, in which the 
tribe of Levi was conspicuous. Passing over this, 
we come to an incident worthy of notice as giving 
renewed and conclusive evidence of the divine ap- 
pointment of this tribe to the special service in 
which we find them employed. The event to 
which we refer was a violent rebellion, instigated 
by Korah, great grandson of Levi, and conse- 
quently one of the heads of the tribe. He had 
long envied Aaron because he and his sons had been 
raised to the highest office of the priesthood, — 
an office to which he thought himself equally en- 
titled. He was continually intriguing with others, 
and finally prevailed on Dathan and Abiram, 
chiefs of the tribe of Reuben, and two hundred 
and fifty others, to join him. They accused Moses 
and Aaron of having aspired to a position, and 
usurped to themselves authority, to which they 



232 REMINISCENCES OF 

had no higher claim than themselves. In these 
accusations, with words of denunciation and inso- 
lence, they greatly reproached Moses, but instead 
of retaliating in like manner, he, after meekly rea- 
soning with them in vain, in obedience to the com- 
mand of God, brought them to a test : " This do ; 
take you censers, Korah and all his company, and 
put fire therein, and incense, and it shall be that 
the man whom the Lord shall choose shall be 
holy." A large company assembled to witness the 
scene. The first thing that attracted their atten- 
tion was the glory of the Lord appearing in the 
cloud over the tabernacle. Out of this the Lord 
spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, " Separate 
yourselves from among this congregation, that I 
may consume them in a moment." These faithful 
servants fell on their faces in supplication that He 
would spare the people, and not destroy them for 
the sin of one man. The Lord heard their prayer, 
and commanded Moses to speak to the congrega- 
tion that they depart from the tents of those 
wicked men. No sooner had they done so than 
the earth opened and swallowed up Korah, Dathan, 
and Abiram, with their tents, families, and all that 
pertained to them. A fire also came out from the 
Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty 
men that offered incense. Thus did He present to 
the multitude the unmistakable proof that Moses 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 233 

and Aaron had their office by His own appoint- 
ment. This event should serve as a warning to 
men in all time, to beware how they attempt to 
usurp an office, or claim authority in the Church 
of God, to which He has not chosen them, or to 
speak against those whom He hath honored. 

In order to put to silence forever all further con- 
troversy respecting the matter, the following mir- 
acle was wrought : Moses was commanded to 
take a rod from each tribe, with the name of the 
head of the tribe written upon it. Aaron's name 
was to be put on the rod for the tribe of Levi. 
These rods were laid before the Lord in the Taber- 
nacle of Witness. The man's rod whom He should 
choose He said would blossom. On the morrow 
Moses took the rods from the Tabernacle, and 
brought them out unto the children of Israel, 
and, lo, Aaron's rod had budded, blossomed, and 
yielded almonds ! Then, by command of the 
Lord, the rod was returned to the Tabernacle, and, 
with the golden pot of manna, kept in the Holy of 
Holies as a memorial for future generations. One 
of the requirements of the law was this : " Take 
heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite, 
so long as thou livest upon the earth." 

Just previous to his death, Moses wrote all 
the words of the law in a book, and then com- 



234 REMINISCENCES OF 

mitted the book to the charge of those Levites 
which bore the Ark of the Covenant. 

After the journeyings of the children of Israel 
were over, and they were established in the land of 
Canaan, it became needful that the Levites should 
have some fixed place of abode. To secure this, 
forty-eight cities were assigned them, together 
with a sufficient area of meadow for the pasturage 
of their flocks and herds. The respect of the peo- 
ple for this tribe was still more enhanced by the 
selection of six of these cities to be cities of 
refuge. In after years the Levites, with other 
tribes, apostatized from their former fidelity and 
faithful service, and lost to a great extent their 
identity and influence. God often admonished 
them, and called them to repentance by His proph- 
ets. As evidence of their demoralized condition, 
we may refer to the language of the prophet Mal- 
achi. They made the table of the Lord contempt- 
ible by offering upon it polluted bread, and His 
altar by sacrificing thereon the blind, and the lame, 
and the sick of their flocks : " Shall I accept this 
of your hand ? saith the Lord. Offer it now unto 
thy governor ; will he be pleased with thee ? Ye 
have robbed Me ; even this whole nation ! " Then 
the prophet speaks concerning the coming and 
work of Him who is called the Messenger of the 




A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 235 

Covenant, who would be " like a refiner's fire, and 
like fullers' soap. And He shall sit as a refiner 
and purifier of silver; and He shall purify the sons 
of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver; that 
they may offer unto the Lord an offering in right- 
eousness." 

In the New Testament the Levites are seldom 
alluded to, and when spoken of they are repre- 
sented as formal and heartless worshippers. In 
the parable of the man who fell among thieves 
and was sorely wounded, a Levite, who beheld his 
sad condition, instead of pitying and helping him, 
passed by on the other side of the way. In Acts 
iv. 36, we read of one Barnabas, a Levite who be- 
lieved, of the country of Cyprus. 

In looking at the history of the tribe of Levi, 
we find that it extends through a long series of 
years, and that it contains light and darkness, good 
and evil, much to admire and much to condemn ; 
and thus it is in regard to almost every corporate 
society, or organized body of men. The Levites, 
as a tribe, were inclined to fall into a formal mode 
of worship, and to become exalted in themselves, 
uncharitable to others, and forgetful of God, yet 
this was the chosen tribe, the appointed channel 
by and through which great and important truths 
were to be preserved for centuries, and handed 
down to men of successive generations, even to 



236 REMINISCENCES OF 

the end of time. We can do no less than to feel 
thankful that, notwithstanding all their imperfec- 
tions, they performed the mission assigned them 
so well as they did. 

With the close of the Mosaic dispensation their 
mission ceased, and they, with the other tribes, 
were scattered among all nations. Christ, the 
Great High Priest, to whom the Levitical priest- 
hood and Jewish sacrifices ever pointed, has come, 
and in Him and by Him there has been estab- 
lished a spiritual priesthood with spiritual sacri- 
fices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. This 
Saviour was promised to be a light to the Gen- 
tiles, as well as the glory of His people Israel. 
Although He came long ago to His temple, the 
Jews are still looking for Him, and the veil is yet 
over their hearts, — a veil that will not be taken 
away until they turn to the Lord. 

May we, who live in the light of the glorious gos- 
pel of Christ, take heed to ourselves lest we be 
found in any way neglecting or transcending His 
commands, for if they of old, who lived under the 
law of Moses, escaped not such condign punish- 
ment as Korah and his company had meted out to 
them for their sin, how shall we escape if we turn 
away from Him that speaketh from heaven, and 
refuse to obey His voice ? 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 237 

In the Second month of the year 1869, 
several deaths occurred in the neighborhood 
of Winthrop, among which was that of 
Moses Baileys little niece, Myra Bailey, 
which was caused by accident. 

In the latter part of the month there was 
some revival in the Church through the gos- 
pel labors of C. E. Talbot of Ohio. She 
and her traveling companion, L. F. Hobson, 
made their home with Moses Bailey, and 
their visit was a great comfort and satisfac- 
tion to him. He and his wife accompanied 
them to Portland, Gardiner, Augusta, and 
several other places, where they held meet- 
ings. In the latter part of Fourth month, 
Moses Bailey, with his wife, visited her 
former home in New York, and also took a 
journey into the western part of the State, 
to Auburn and Union Springs. 

In the Sixth month of that year, they at- 
tended Yearly Meeting at Newport; after 
which, Moses Bailey went with C. E. T. and 
L. F. H. to Canada, and attended the Yearly 
Meeting held at Pickering. Ontario. 

In the autumn of 1869, Moses Bailey's 



238 REMINISCENCES OF 

health seemed to be somewhat failing, and 
his wife not being well, they concluded to 
go south to spend the winter, hoping that 
the health of each might thereby be bene- 
fited. They accordingly left home about 
the first of the year 1870, for Nashville, 
Tennessee, intending also to go to Aiken, 
South Carolina. They left their little son, 
Moses Melvin, then three months old, at 
home, in care of his faithful and devoted 
nurse, M. W., thinking it would be unsafe to 
take him so far at that tender age. They 
stopped at Newark, New Jersey, to attend 
the wedding of a cousin, after w 7 hich they 
went to Philadelphia and put up at the Con- 
tinental Hotel, where they were both taken 
sick and had to remain two weeks, unable 
to proceed further. They telegraphed for 
M. B.'s brother-in-law, L. Jones of Winthrop, 
who immediately went to Philadelphia, but 
finding them better, they soon all went to 
Washington. After spending a few days 
there, they decided that, in their weak state 
of health, it would be easier to travel by 
boat, and so returned to New York, and en- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 239 

gaged passage to Columbia, South Carolina, 
but before it was time to sail, he found that 
his wife was becoming rapidly worse, and 
concluded she was not able to travel. They 
therefore returned home at once, arriving at 
Winthrop the first day of Second month, 
having been absent about four weeks. 

During several months following, he was 
exceedingly anxious, as his wife's health 
seemed really failing, and the disease was 
apparently assuming severe symptoms of 
dropsy. After trying the best known reme- 
dies, administered by skillful physicians, 
without benefit, a very simple remedy by 
the blessing of God proved effectual, and 
she was fully restored to health. 

In Fifth month, 1870, he and his wife, 
in company with some friends, attended 
New York Yearly Meeting, held in the 
city of New York. In Sixth month they 
attended Yearly Meeting at Newport, Rhode 
Island. Soon after returning home, he met 
with a very heavy loss of property, by the 
burning of his Oil Cloth Factory at Win- 
throp, together with a very large amount of 



240 REMINISCENCES OF 

finished goods, stock, two large barns and a 
stable. 

How fleeting are all earthly treasures, 
and how little to be depended on! Know- 
ing this, how diligent we should be to lay 
up treasure in heaven, where fire cannot 
destroy nor water overwhelm ! 

Moses Bailey was very calm during the 
excitement of the day. Some one remark- 
ing this, he replied that he had his wife and 
child left, who were very dear to him, and 
sufficient with which to make them com- 
fortable, and that what was lost was so 
much less for him to be responsible for as a 
steward. He said he was thankful for re- 
maining blessings, and should not be dis- 
couraged over loss of property. 

By this fire about sixty men were 
thrown out of employment, which apparently 
troubled him more than his own personal 
loss. He was never known, during his en- 
tire business career, to fret over adversity, 
although he met with manv losses. He 
continued his interests in active business till 
his death, and then bequeathed them to the 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 241 

care of his executive, to be preserved until 
his son should attain to majority, and as- 
sume, if practicable, their responsibilities. 
He thought it not right for any man of 
business talents to retire from useful voca- 
tions as long as health and life should ena- 
ble him to continue them. He considered 
these talents a gift from God, the use of 
which, as well as the results, He would re- 
quire an account to be rendered by the 
recipient. 



10 



CHAPTER X. 

NEW AND RENEWED BUSINESS PURSUITS 

DEATH OF HIS FATHER SICKNESS IN HIS 

FAMILY ■ — LETTERS. 

After the burning of Moses Bailey's fac- 
tories, in 1870, his health not being very- 
good, he thought he would not rebuild 
them, but not desiring to retire from busi- 
ness entirely, he, in company with his 
friend J. S. Marrett of Portland, purchased 
the carpet store and property belonging to 
Marrett, Poor and Company, of that city, 
and together formed a partnership, and 
commenced doing business under the firm 
name of Marrett, Bailey and Company. He 
entered into this business the first day of 
First month, 187 1, and continued his inter- 
est during the remainder of his life, not, 
however, practically confining himself to the 
labor of it, but leaving the care and manage- 
ment almost entirely to his partner, who had 
his utmost confidence and esteem. 



244 REMINISCENCES OF 

In the spring of 187 1 his health seemed 
much improved, and he began to yearn for 
the business which he had chosen in his 
early manhood, and for which he was es- 
pecially adapted. The earnest solicitations 
of his friends and neighbors, who desired 
that he would build a new factory on the 
spot where his former one was burned, also 
influenced him, and he decided to do so. 
Accordingly a factory was erected in the 
summer of 187 1, of greater capacity than the 
former building, and the work of manufactur- 
ing commenced in the autumn of that year. 

In Seventh month he and his wife accom- 
panied several of their friends on a trip to 
the White Mountains, which was very much 
enjoyed. In her diary, under date of 
Seventh month, 20th, 1871, we find the 
following: 

We visited Glen Ellis Falls this morning and 
found them beautiful beyond description. After 
dining at the Glen House, we went by stage to the 
top of Mount Washington. The views, in ascend- 
ing the mountain, were exceedingly grand. On 
arriving at the summit, we found it enveloped in a 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 245 

dense fog, which hid everything from our view 
during the evening. We retired for the night, 
anxiously hoping for a clear sunrise next morning. 

2 1 st. — At early daylight our friend, Thomas 
Steere, awoke us all by joyfully calling out, " Clear 
sky; sunrise on Mount Washington !" Our party, 
ten in number, prepared to witness the scene 
from a rock on the summit. Our desires were 
more than realized. It was the most glorious 
sunrise that could be imagined. We looked down 
upon mountains, hills and valleys, and also on 
dense clouds beneath us. We could see the ocean, 
several lakes, rivers, cities and villages. The sky 
above us was perfectly clear, and we could scan a 
distance of ninety miles. 

After breakfast we descended the mountain, on 
the railroad. It would require the " tongue of an 
angel or the pen of a ready writer" to describe 
the gloriously grand, and enchantingly sublime, 
scenes depicted to our view during the descent of 
that stupendous mountain. As we looked upon 
the wonderful workmanship of Omnipotent hands, 
we could emphatically exclaim : " Great and mar- 
vellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty ! " 

Scenes there witnessed will live in memory 
while life continues. Pictures new and varied 
opened at eve'ry step, gloriously picturesque; in- 
describably grand ! 



246 REMINISCENCES OF 

The author has been there since, when a 
first-class geologist and naturalist was a 
member of the party, whose analizations, 
explanations and discoveries, added greatly 
to the interest and pleasure of the trip. 
He seemed determined to find out just 
what Mount Washington was composed 
of, before leaving it, and we presume he suc- 
ceeded about as well as finite man can, by 
searching into the works of the Infinite. 

As in the beautiful moonlight of the even- 
ing we beheld from the Glen House the 
top of the mountain, apparently but one 
step from the clear sky above, we thought of 
the dear subject of this memoir so recently 
gone to the " Bright Forever " beyond, and 
our heart, filled with sublimity, responded 
thus: 

Methinks I can view thy bright home far away, 

And in faith my sad spirit gladly doth soar 
To those regions celestial, where there always is 
day, 

And mourners cease weeping, to rejoice ever- 
more. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. * 247 

Oft as I look at sweet heaven's blue dome, 
My spirit a beauty celestial doth see, 

And I am reminded that there is thy home, 
Beyond our earth's limits, from sorrow all free. 

There angels, blest spirits, are praising the Lamb, 
And all the redeemed are surrounding His 
throne, 

The Lamb which on Calvary's mountain was slain ; 
High praises are due to the Infinite One. 

Thou, dear one, art with them, so blest and so pure, 
And art wearing a crown gloriously bright ; 

Thy spirit far 'bove this mountain did soar, 
And lives there forever with Him in delight. 



x t> 4 



Descending from the Tip-Top House, two 
days after this, the views were as gloriously 
grand and as new as on our first visit there, 
years ago, and our thoughts could best find 
expression in the sublime language of the 
Russian poet: 

u O Thou Eternal One! whose presence bright 
All space cloth occupy, all motion guide ; 
Unchanged through time's all-devastating flight, 
Thou only God ! there is no God beside ! 



248 REMINISCENCES OF 

Being above all beings ! Mighty One ! 

Whom none can comprehend and none explore, 
Who fill'st existence with Thyself alone, 

Embracing all, supporting, ruling o'er ! 
Being whom we call God, and know no more ! 

" O, thoughts ineffable! O, visions blest! 

Though worthless our conceptions all of Thee, 
Yet shall Thy shadow'd image fill our breast, 

And waft its homage to Thy Deity. 
God ! thus alone my lowly thoughts can soar, 

Thus seek Thy presence, Being wise and good ! 
Midst Thy vast works admire, obey, adore, 

And, when the tongue is eloquent no more, 
The soul shall speak in tears of gratitude." 

In the summer of 1872 Moses Bailey's 
wife was attacked by sickness, which con- 
fined her at home five months. Again her 
husband was brought into deep anxiety on 
her account, the former symptoms of dropsy 
being very prominent. When the warm 
weather of the following spring came, how- 
ever, her health greatly improved, and she 
made a visit to her friends in New York 
State, taking with her their son, then three 
years old. His father accompanied them as 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 249 

far as Boston, in order that he might see 
them safely past the most tedious part of 
the journey. He then returned home, and 
on the thirteenth of Fifth month, after at- 
tending the marriage of his brother-in-law, 
F. C. Johnston of New York, to M. B. 
Jones of Winthrop, he accompanied them to 
New York, and from thence joined his wife 
at her father's house in Plattekill. While 
there, among other visits, they greatly en- 
joyed one to Lake Mohonk, on Shawangunk 
Mountain. 

In Sixth month, 1872, the revised Disci- 
pline of New England Yearly Meeting of 
Friends was adopted, after having been in 
the care of a committee for four years. 
Moses Bailey was a member of this commit- 
tee, and took a deep interest in the revision. 
In 1868 he was appointed on the committee 
having charge of Friends' Boarding School 
at Providence, Rhode Island, and remained 
under this appointment until the time of his 
death. He was very much interested in the 
welfare of that institution, and attended to 
the duties of the appointment whenever 



250 REMINISCENCES OF 

health and circumstances would permit. He 
was many years a member of the Repre- 
sentative Meeting of New England Yearly 
Meeting, and of the committee on General 
Meetings, also the committees on Indian 
Matters, Freedmen, and on educational and 
mission work in North Carolina. In all 
these he was deeply interested. He at- 
tended a number of General Meetings in 
different parts of New England. 

In Third month, T873, he was very sick 
for a few days with symptoms of fever, but 
suddenly rallied, and went with his wife and 
E. L. Comstock to a General Meeting at 
North Berwick, and thence to visit the State 
Prison at Thomaston, Maine. 

In the autumn of 1873 a General Meet- 
ing was held at Winthrop, in a large tent 
erected in a field belonging to him, and ad- 
jacent to his residence. This meeting was 
an event of much importance, and was won- 
derfully blessed of the Lord. It consisted 
of a series of meetings, continuing five 
days. All the sessions were largely at- 
tended. On the Sabbath the number pres- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 251 

ent during the day was estimated at nearly 
three thousand. Several ministers from va- 
rious parts of the country were in attend- 
ance, and the gospel flowed freely in "the 
demonstration of the Spirit and of power." 
About one hundred persons professed con- 
version, several of whom have since died, re- 
joicing in the assurance of eternal life. 

Moses Bailey was very much interested in 
these meetings, and always in the salvation 
of souls. The author remembers having 
seen him go to the unconverted, and urge 
them to give their hearts to God. He was 
especially interested in one young man who 
was at that time in his employ at the fac- 
tory. He led him to the place where many 
inquirers were seated. We doubt not that 
this young man was for a long time, if not 
ever after, a subject of his prayers. May 
he follow him as he followed Christ, and 
meet him in heaven. 

In the autumn of 1873, subsequent to the 
close of the General Meeting above spoken 
of, Moses Bailey accompanied his wife to 
New York. They visited relatives there and 



252 REMINISCENCES OF 

in New Jersey, returning home in Tenth 
month. Soon after this, the latter, being in 
poor health, went to Somerville, Massachu- 
setts, for medical treatment under the care 
of an electro-hydropathic physician, where 
she remained nine weeks. By skillful atten- 
tion this method proved very efficacious. 
Her anxious husband went every week to 
see her. 

During her absence his father died very 
suddenly of what was supposed to be paral- 
ysis of the heart. He had ever enjoyed ex- 
cellent health and never was really sick but 
once in his life. He had never lost a tooth 
by decay, and his eyesight was nearly per- 
fect, although he was eighty years of age. 
By his honest upright life he had won the 
respect and love of all who knew him. Fre- 
quently, while in the prime of life, he held 
offices of trust in his town and state, and 
was at one time a member of the Legisla- 
ture of Maine. He was very cheerful, and 
somewhat jovial in disposition, and temper- 
ate in all his habits. His company was very 
congenial to all, both young and old. He 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 253 

was particularly fond of farm life and man- 
ual labor, the practice of which he continued 
till his death. 

The day after his dear father died M. B. 
went to Somerville to see if his wife was 
able to come home to attend the funeral. 
Her physician deeming this imprudent, he 
returned without her, and subsequently 
wrote the following letter: 



Winthrop, Twelfth month, 2d, 1873. 

My Very Dear Wife : 

It is now nine o'clock in the evening, but I 
can hardly think of retiring without writing thee a 
few words. First, I will speak of my journey home. 
When I left thee, seventh day morning, I went 
directly to Boston. At the depot I fortunately met 
brother John and wife, Samuel and wife, and Bar- 
low Stevens, on their way to Winthrop. They 
were very glad to meet with me. When we 
arrived at Lewiston, Melville Bailey joined us. 
Barlow came home with me, John and wife went 
to mother Bailey's, and Samuel and wife wont 
to Charles'. 

Now, about the funeral. Met at the house this 
morning at half-past nine, and had a short season 



254 REMINISCENCES OF 

of devotion. Dr. Young offered supplication, very 
much to my satisfaction, and I think it must have 
been so to all present. Sarah Farr spoke briefly 
in relation to the sudden removal of our dear 
father from us, of the great comfort experienced 
with him and mother in a visit which she had re- 
cently made them, of her full conviction at that 
time of his entire readiness to meet the great 
change that so soon came upon him, and of the 
renewed evidence that she felt at the present time 
that his ransomed spirit was now in the enjoyment 
of the fruition of eternal life. 

Next we proceeded to the Meeting House, which 
was entirely filled with relatives, friends, and 
neighbors. After a short time of silent waiting, 
in which the Holy Spirit seemed very sensibly to 
rest on the gathered assembly, deeply impressing 
many minds with the solemnity of the occasion, 
Sarah Farr bowed in supplication, thanking the 
God and Father of all grace and mercy for the 
felt presence of His Holiness amongst us, and 
prayed for the baptismal power of the Spirit so to 
rest upon those who should be called to speak to 
the people, that they might be enabled to utter 
words that should sink deep into the hearts of the 
hearers, comforting the mourners, and if sinners 
were present, that they might be speedily awak- 
ened to a sense of the danger of longer contin- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 255 

uance in estrangement from God and from a 
knowledge of the application to their souls of the 
all-atoning blood of Christ. Dr. Young then ad- 
dressed the meeting from these words: " Watch 
therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the 
hour, wherein the Son of Man cometh." 

First, he stated the original condition of man 
when he came forth from the hand of his Creator, 
pure and perfect, and very nearly allied to God 
Himself, holding communion with Him, even talk- 
ing with Him face to face, and that this intimate 
communion and intercourse were only broken by 
man's transgressing the known commands of God. 
As the result, death now reigns over the bodies 
and souls of men. But such was God's mercy, 
that He provided a ransom, in the person of Jesus 
Christ, His son, and through faith in Him man 
may yet live again. Then the speaker depicted in 
a very impressive manner the importance of abid- 
ing faith in this the only ransom for sin and resto- 
ration to life. In reference to our dear father, he 
said he fully believed he had lived and died in this 
faith. 

After Dr. Young closed, brother Bryant, pastor 
of East Winthrop Baptist Church, made some re- 
marks of a eulogistic nature, but very good and 
appropriate. Sarah Goddard then spoke a few 
words, after which she offered prayer, and the 



256 REMINISCENCES OF 

meeting closed. The entire service was, I think, 
abundantly satisfactory to all. 

Mother was not able to go out of the house, 
being so very feeble. Maria Bailey went with me. 

Samuel and wife will visit me to-morrow. Dr. 
Young and wife, and Barlow, have gone to Au- 
gusta tonight, to take the early train in the morn- 
ing. Melville Bailey has been here this evening. 
We are well as usual, and getting along nicely. 
Hope thou art improving every day. 

Thine forever. 



This dear sainted father occupied the seat 
at the head of Friends' Meeting at Win- 
throp several years previous to his death. 

The following letters Moses Bailey wrote 
to his wife subsequent to the one above 
given : 

At Home, Twelfth month, 3d, 1873. 
Well, My Dear Wife, 

Another day has passed, and it is almost 
eleven o'clock. I am again alone, Samuel and 
wife, who are here, having retired. It seems very 
lonely indeed to have thee away at this time. I 
can only feel reconciled to it because it is unavoid- 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 257 

able. It seems more lonely with company around 
than at any other time. 

Today occurred our first meeting after the con- 
signment of the body of our dear father to its 
mother earth, and truly it was a season of deep feel- 
ing and solemnity to some of us. The reflection 
that the seat so long occupied by him, would hence- 
forth receive him no more, and of the increased 
responsibilities resting upon us who are left, had 
the effect to awaken thoughts and feelings of a 
very serious and impressive character. The earnest 
prayer of some of us, I know, has been that God 
would give us wisdom and understanding to dis- 
charge in His council the various duties that may 
devolve upon us, that all may tend to the advance- 
ment of His cause and the glory of His name. 
We had with us Sarah W. Goddard, whose prayer 
and exhortation were very acceptable to us. 

I received a letter from thee this evening, for 
which I was very glad. I do indeed rejoice, and 
feel thankful to learn, that there is such an im- 
provement in thy health. Hope it may go on 
improving, and very rapidly too. Mother Bailey is 
very feeble today. I think she has failed very fast 
within the last two or three days. Should not be 
surprised to hear of her death any hour, yet she 
may live for weeks or even months. She says she 
hopes to wait patiently until her appointed time 
17 



258 REMINISCENCES OF 

shall come. Maria is there, and will remain at 

present 

Melvin received thy letter, was very much 
pleased with it, and has read it many times. He 

is real good. We are well as usual 

Thine forever. 

Home, Twelfth month, 21st, 1873. 
My Dear Wife : 

Another Sabbath day is passed, meeting 
over, Bible School ended, the shades of night 
again closing around us, and here I am, still alone, 
with no wife to cheer with loving words and 
smiling looks the lonely hours which seem so slug- 
gishly to glide along 

Probably thou hast not heard of the decease of 
our dear, aged friend, Charles F. Coffin. He went 
to Lynn but a few days previous to his death. He 
died last sixth day, will be carried to Fairfield, where 
his funeral will be held next third day. Have 
not yet learned the particulars relative to his death 

Thus the fathers and mothers, one after another 
in quick succession, are passing away. It seems 
now as if they were most all gone. O, how very 
soon the journey of life, even of the longest, is 
ended, and then existence is but just begun ! 
Sometimes it seems to me this world might very 
properly be compared to a nursery, in which the 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 259 

husbandman plants his trees and shrubs, which he 
watches with tender care until they have acquired 
sufficient growth and strength, and become so in- 
ured to sunshine and storm that they are fitted to 
be transplanted into the broad field where they 
may grow and flourish, towering high and spread- 
ing wide their branches to the satisfaction and 
delight of him who planted them. Were these 
trees always confined within the narrow limits orig- 
inally assigned them, they could never attain that 
towering height and broad expanse which nature 
designed for them, but must ever remain dwarfed 
and imperfect specimens of what they were in- 
tended to be. So the immortal soul is placed here 
in connection with the body, to remain a few short 
years, merely to receive its primary training and 
growth, and to become so disciplined by receiving 
not only the genial rays of the sunshine of life, but 
also having withstood the fierce storm and raging 
tempest, even the withering blast of an ungodly 
world, that it shall be fitted to be transplanted 
from its narrow house of clay to the broad, ex- 
tended field of the eternal world, where it will be 
forever expanding and increasing in knowledge as 
the years roll on which never bring eternity nearer 
to its end. 

Thy letter of sixth day morning was received 
last evening. Do hope I shall get more cheering 



260 REMINISCENCES OF 

accounts of thy health to-morrow. Must hear 
every day. 

I remain, as ever, in undying love. 

My Very Dear Wife : 

Another Sabbath evening has rolled around, 
and here I am alone again. Since school I have 
been down to G. Hamblen's. M. keeps along 
about the same. After tea I went to see Mother 
Bailey. She continues very much as for a week 
past, more helpless than when thee left home. 
Maria and Aunt Deborah are there yet, also John 
and Lizzie. Mother seems very patient and re- 
signed to her condition, and thankful for what is 
being done for her. Yesterday all of us brothers 
met at the old homestead, and the will of our dear 
departed father was opened. I was chosen to read 

it 

Our dear friend Sybil Jones died at her home in 
China last sixth day, after an illness of two days. 
Her funeral is to be to-morrow, at ten o'clock a.m. 
Thus the inhabitants of earth are passing, one by 
one, from time to eternity. How should these 
oft-repeated warnings and admonitions have the 
effect to cause us individually to look well to our 
condition, and see whether our lives are such that 
at the last day we shall stand approved in the 
sight of God ? When we seriously reflect upon 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 261 

these things, and behold, as we almost daily do, 
our near friends and relatives taken from our 
midst, some of them even from our very side, and 
that, too, without a moment's warning, how can 
we suppress the exclamation 

" O, to be ready when death shall come, 
O, to be ready to hasten home." 

My Very Dear Wife : 

Well, what is there for me to write about that 
will be worth half a sheet of paper, an envelope, 
and, still more, a postage stamp ? Don't believe 
there is anything, so it is all to prove a failure, 
the whole investment, and the entire effort put 
forth is to be total loss. But then this is nothing 
new for me, it is only a repetition of what I have 
done many times before. How strange it is that we 
cannot learn to amend our future course by the 
seen and realized follies of the past ! But ah, such 
is poor human nature, continually prone to error ! 

Have not received any letter from thee tonight, 
and am glad of it, for now I think thou got 
through yesterday comfortably, after I left, and if 
so I can with confidence hope that today there has 
been still an increasing improvement, and a long 
stride made on the high-road to health. That 
such is indeed the case, is certainly very pleasant 
for me to anticipate. I shall want a letter from 
thee to-morrow, and have no doubt it will come. 



262 REMINISCENCES OF 

Melvin appeared much rejoiced to see me. He 
laughed, jumped, and danced about in high glee, 
demonstrating in every conceivable way his almost 
unbounded joy at having me home again. We 
are all well. M. S. is here. 

Good-night, 

Thine forever. 

My Very Dear Wife : 

Another day has just closed, and the sable 
curtains of night are again drawn around us. 
Thus day after day flits swiftly by, and before we 
are hardly aware, their number is rounded into the 
full year, which, when past, seems how very short. 
When we look back, and contemplate the year 
now just closing upon us, how momentary seems 
its stay, how swift its flight ! How momen- 
tous the consequences dependent upon the im- 
provement or non-improvement of these fleeting 
days ! The future destiny of the immortal soul 
hangs on the way we are spending them. When 
we cast our eyes abroad, and behold the changes 
that have taken place around us during the past 
year, even within our own limited sphere of obser- 
vation, how can we fail to be solemnly and deeply 
impressed with the importance of noting carefully 
and improving well each passing moment as it flies ! 
The year now nearing its close has witnessed 
the transit, from time to eternity, of many of the 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 263 

most eminent representatives of the present age. 
The sands of this life with them have run out, and 
they have gone to reap the reward of their labors. 
In our finite view, and with our limited compre- 
hension, how are we filled with anxiety lest the 
various scientific, philanthropic, and religious im- 
provements of the day shall be marred or retarded 
thereby. It even sometimes seems that there 
are no persons living, ready and fit to take the 
places made vacant by these removals. But 
thus it has been in all ages of the world; one 
generation passes, another comes; the ranks which 
are being thinned are as constantly being replen- 
ished; recruits are continually stepping forward, 
and taking their position ; the places of the lead- 
ers and commanders are made vacant by the call 
for them to " come up higher," the same Almighty 
Sovereign whose are the works, will abilitate with 
strength, and clothe with power, those who shall 
take the places of former leaders, so that science, 
civilization and religion shall continue their on- 
ward march to triumphant victory. 

Thy letter of yesterday came to hand this even- 
ing, and I was very glad to receive it. Was re- 
joiced to learn thou was no worse than when I left. 
Hope to hear more favorable news to-morrow. . . . 

Forever thine. 

P. S. Melvin wants me to send his letter with 
mine to mamma. 



264 REMINISCENCES OF 

mtift IWANT YOU 
TO CoM£ UOMF 

U M i I SAYS ( AM A 
COM BAT 
I HAD IHKBt Ni£W 

books crtMsmws 

TO fEt (A\> new 
SLED TOO 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 265 

The next, which we herewith present, is a 
fac-simile copy of the first letter Melvie 
wrote his father, a year later than the above. 
It was directed to him at New York. 

I q?<&7 Sec Jf t<? c/d?v e? ??</ £&<???: 

Sic/f d?JJ )<2S* s?7 Lght, I '&??? &£-t-t&/o t*d<2y t 
J WiS^y^z^ W<2 2//d b?>y -sxe & ceePT if v^z^ 

P e '/?s?v f) Z/ ? ?/>£ £/>/> CCS i ?? £A ? 
C (? 7/<2p/* TKlS <&? '<? t* '2? £ r? g , J<?bX M/SLcelzs" 

J Ja?iy hi 97?. hie d <? ???■ ICo? o w f c?^?Z Sic A~ , 
1 W lSA\/<7 & H/d?S kfVKC- S* I C*V/d $ l -t 
7?y<?2;/* t&f t* c^<^y vyA l ( e. J <£ ,m Stcf, 
I h<r v<? t# Ice a??? tkc s<?fce *<£/>{- &i t h c~ 
ti*?ze>. /7*7<e -???& St<?v$ iv£tk **€&* We- 
cfe „V ??e so -??? & wi >A a : t" yj z/ } &s~ e . 



266 REMINISCENCES OF 

J k**e. I will *>£ w& ll 

J k<£^c eat £ 1-ifil^ I***** O 
1 vYt'ch. I L&d * Htttt. £*<£* *r*-W. * v? 
I ctvld- ^*z Jrire Ai^z vVke^ I <e~~ 

y*l/r Littlh 6jv 




A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 267 

The letter which follows, written on New 
Years day, 1874, will interest some loved 
ones who read it. 

My Very Dear Wife : 

Can it be that today is the commencement of 
a new year, and that the old one with all its chang- 
ing scenes is gone to be numbered with the past ? 
Henceforth its months, weeks and days can only 
be counted as time that was but never will be 
again. Not so, however, with the deeds performed 
during the past year and during every previous 
period, for every one of these had not only its 
effect at the time, but however small or insig- 
nificant it might appear, is having, and will have 
an influence reaching down the vista of the ages, 
even to the remotest period of time. Every 
good action and every kind word will have an in- 
fluence on the side of virtue that will help, in its 
measure, to effect the salvation of souls. On the 
other hand, every evil deed, and every wicked 
word, according to the design or motive prompting 
it, will in some degree affect the world. 

How very fitting is the present time for us indi- 
vidually to look over the past, reflect seriously and 
consider soberly what we have been doing, whether 
our life has been such that the influence we have 
exerted has been on the side of virtue, or whether 



268 REMINISCENCES OF 

the preponderance of it has been in the opposite 
scale. If, upon careful examination, we find the 
former to have been our condition, happy indeed 

will be the retrospect 

Thy excellent letter of yesterday was received 
this evening, and is highly appreciated. In re- 
sponse to thy kind wish for me, "A very happy 
New Year," will say, I believe those words ema- 
nated from, and were the overflowings of, a warm 
and loving heart, and I do most feelingly and 
heartily appreciate them. 

Hope thy courage will not become exhausted, 
but I know it takes a fountain to draw upon in or- 
der not to have a failure under the circumstances. 
All well. 

Farewell, my dear wife. 

My Very Dear Wife : 

I wrote thee a note yesterday from Portland, 
which I suppose thou received this morning. I 
went to Lewiston last evening as I anticipated, 
stopped at the DeWitt House last night, did what 
business I had to do in L. this morning, and came 
home on the 10.30 train. I found three letters 
from my dearest earthly friend. From one of the 
most prominent sentiments in these, especially the 
last, I am forced to the conclusion that my pre- 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 269 

cious wife is getting anxious to come home. Well, 
I am anxious to have that wish gratified. Thou 
said thou wished me to comQ seventh day. I think 
I will try to do so, though some circumstances 
seem in favor of my waiting till second day morn- 
ing, but then there would be another long Sabbath 
for thee to spend alone, which I cannot feel quite 
reconciled to subject thee to, therefore I think I 
will go on the early train seventh day. 

M. Hamblin died this morning. Her funeral 
will be first day afternoon. I received a letter this 
evening from Fairfield, announcing the death of 
Silas Hoxie, occasioned by a tree falling on him. 
He lived only about twenty minutes after the acci- 
dent. His funeral is to be to-morrow at eleven 
o'clock 

I wrote thee from Philadelphia, on arriving there 
from Vineland, where I had such a good and pleas- 
ant visit with Lincoln and his family, marred only 
by the reflection that my dear wife was sick far 
away from me and from home. 

Thine in everlasting love, 

M. B. 



CHAPTER XL 
JOURNEYS CHANGE IN BUSINESS SICKNESS. 

In the summer of 1874, Moses Bailey and 
wife, after returning from Yearly Meeting 
at Newport, took a journey into Canada. 
They spent a day of sight-seeing in Mon- 
treal, and then went to Pickering to attend 
the Yearly Meeting of Friends held there. 
They were very kindly entertained at the 
house of J. Richardson, and greatly enjoyed 
all the sessions of the meeting, which were 
very much favored by the Divine presence. 
After these closed, they visited several dear 
friends at Bloomfield, Ontario. From there 
they went to Niagara Falls, and beheld that 
most wonderful of God's material and out- 
wardly visible works in all the world, — that 
mighty torrent crowned with myriad rain- 
bows, and chained by invisible rocks, flowing 
on and ever on, binding the beginning with 
the end of time. While there our travelers 



272 REMINISCENCES OF 

arrayed themselves in the, by no means 
graceful, waterproof garb kept there to be 
let, and, with their guide, descended the 
winding stairs, one hundred and fifty feet, to 
the "Cave of the Winds," among the rocks 
behind the falls on the Canada side of the 
river. The sensations while there will never 
be forgotten. Thoughts were beyond ex- 
pression, and if they could have been possi- 
bly spoken, the words could not have been 
understood amid the din and thunderings of 
the immense torrents that sped from the 
great projecting boulders overhead, to the 
abyss below. Sublime thoughts of the Om- 
nipotent, who is "mightier than the noise of 
many waters," filled the mind and inspired 
praise ineffable. "With what terror can His 
voice confound the guilty ! What miserable 
limits has sense ! God can hear all this 
monstrous diapason, and yet never miss a 
note of a bird song on the brink above." 
You are ready to exclaim with the Psalm- 
ist, " O Lord, how great are Thy works ! 
and Thy thoughts are very deep." " Such 
knowledge is too wonderful for me." 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 273 

The question arises, from whence came 
these vast torrents, flowing unceasingly 
through all the ages of time in one huge, 
unending cataract, and whither do they go ? 
The preacher answers : " All the rivers run 
into the sea, yet the sea is not full ; unto the 
place from whence the rivers come thither 
they return again,' 5 yea, " He holdeth the 
waters in His hands." O, the power, love 
and goodness of our beneficent Creator, 
"Glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, do- 
ing wonders " ! 

The travelers returned home after an ab- 
sence of nearly three weeks. Moses Bailey 
often spoke of this little pleasure trip as 
one of much enjoyment. 

Soon after their return, their friend, Rev. 
J. T. Elwell, of Philadelphia, who has since 
gone to India as a missionary, came to 
spend the summer with them. His visit af- 
forded them much pleasure. While here, he 
and they, with J. S. Marrett and family of 
Portland, went to Bar Harbor, a beautiful 
watering place on the coast of Maine, where 
they spent several days very pleasantly. 



271 REMINISCENCES OF 

On the first of Ninth month, 1874, the 
marriage of A. W. Pinkham to P. A. John- 
ston was celebrated at Moses Bailey's house, 
where a large company of invited guests 
were present, and all apparently enjoyed the 
occasion. Soon after this J. T. Elwell re- 
turned home, and Moses Bailey and wife 
took a trip westward, as far as Richmond, 
Indiana. They spent a week there, and 
were magnanimously entertained at the resi- 
dence of C. F. Coffin. While there they 
attended the Friends' Yearly Meeting, which 
was as good and interesting, and probably as 
large as it was when he was there in 1855, 
an account of which we have previously 
given. It was a great satisfaction to him to 
be there again and to meet with many dear 
friends with whom he became acquainted on 
the occasion of his former visit. 

Soon after returning from Indiana he was 
attacked with a severe cold and cough, 
which for some time rendered him so weak 
that he feared he would not be able to at- 
tend to his business much longer, and 
thought it might be best to diminish his 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 275 

cares. He therefore sold his oil cloth fac- 
tory at Winthrop to his brother, C. M. 
Bailey. This relieved him of much of his 
former care. Although he did not fully 
recover his strength during the winter, 
when the warm spring weather appeared 
he gained quite rapidly. 

At home he was always much interested 
in agriculture, and carried on his farming 
operations scientifically and systematically. 
He was scrupulously neat about his per- 
son, his home and its surroundings, and 
always had an ambition to keep the very 
best cattle, horses, and other domestic ani- 
mals, and to have them well fed and cared 
for. For a number of years he cultivated 
nearly two hundred acres of land in such 
a way as to afford more satisfaction and 
amusement than profit. 

He was for many years much interested 
in Bible Schools, and was teacher of an 
adult class about ten years. During this 
period he availed himself of every opportu- 
nity to get information that would help him 
in this work. He attended many conven- 



276 REMINISCENCES OF 

tions and conferences held in the interests 
of Bible Schools, some of them remote 
from his home. 

He was at one time interested and par- 
tially instrumental in instituting a Bible 
School Conference in his own and Vassal- 
boro Quarterly Meetings combined, which 
was for some time frequently held, but sub- 
sequently discontinued, and again more re- 
cently revived in Fairfield Quarter on a dif- 
ferent plan, involving less time and labor. 
For the first session of the Quarterly Con- 
ference referred to, he wrote the following 
brief address: 

I was asked a few days since by several persons 
who have been influential in getting up this Con- 
ference, if I felt able to write something to read at 
its opening. In reply I told them I thought not, 
for although I might be physically able, yet men- 
tally I felt far from being so. I however con- 
cluded to make an attempt, though I fully realize 
my inability to write anything that will be to my 
own satisfaction or of interest and profit to you, for 
I can truly say that I feel myself to be one of the 
very least among you. The move you have made 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 277 

for the establishment of a Bible School Conference 
has my most hearty approval, and I hope and trust 
your labor will be crowned with success. 

We are living in a remarkable day and age of 
the world, in a time when progression and im- 
provement are making long and rapid strides, and 
new developments are continually brought to view. 
Art and science are daily bringing to light phe- 
nomena long hidden under the cloud of ignorance. 

Some of us can look back forty or more years, 
and call to mind the comparative crudeness of 
things as they then were, in almost every depart- 
ment. Contrasting these former things with what 
we now see and understand, we are almost led to 
wonder at the seeming stupidity of the people of 
that day, knowing as we do that natural laws have 
been, from the beginning, unchanged. For in- 
stance, the expansive property of steam wherein is 
the motive power by which large ships are driven 
across the ocean, and heavy trains of cars pro- 
pelled with wondrous speed over our vast conti- 
nent, is simply the same today that it was years 
ago, before the knowledge of this principle was un- 
derstood by men. And electricity, by the power 
of which we are able to communicate with light- 
ning speed with all parts of our own country and 
foreign lands, is no different than it was in ages 
past when looked upon only as something to be 
18 



278 REMINISCENCES OF 

dreaded and feared. And so it is in every depart- 
ment of nature : "There is nothing new under the 
sun," but God's laws are the same, unchanging and 
unchangeable. 

The sum of the whole is this, the primal laws of 
nature are only being developed, and our compre- 
hension of those laws is being continually en- 
larged. As it is in the outward and visible world, 
so it is in the spiritual ; the same truth holds 
good here as well as there. The happiness or mis- 
ery of man on earth and his eternal destiny in the 
world to come are governed by laws immutably 
fixed. Virtue will have its reward, and vice will as 
surely be punished. 

While new discoveries in science are continually 
being made, and wonderful developments seen and 
understood, and men's minds are becoming more 
and more enlarged and capacitated for the recep- 
tion of things as yet hidden and unknown, so it 
seems to us there should be a corresponding de- 
velopment experienced in our spiritual life. 

If this Conference is rightly managed, and 
there is that interest taken which the worthiness 
of the cause demands, it will exert a powerful in- 
fluence in this direction. All of the different 
schools composing it should try to do what they 
can to make it one of interest and profit. Not 
only should each school furnish the Conference 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 279 

with figures, showing their numerical condition, 
whether increasing or diminishing, but also their 
mode of instruction. We believe it would be well, 
also, for each to give an account of their religious 
condition, and what encouragement they have in 
regard to those who seem to be in a hopeful condi- 
tion, with the Divine blessing, of being converted ; 
for it is true conversion to God which should be 
the object and acme of all Bible teaching. 

In the autumn of 1875 Moses Bailey's 
health was so much improved that he con- 
cluded to again enter into his favorite busi- 
ness; therefore he purchased the oil cloth 
factory then owned by H. M. English and 
Company, in the city of Camden, New Jer- 
sey. This he enlarged and improved until 
its capacity was sufficient for the employ- 
ment of seventy-five men. The winter of 
1875—1876, he, with his family, spent in 
Philadelphia, in order to be near his manu- 
factory at Camden. 

He was very diligently occupied with 
business from Eleventh month, 1S75, to 
Fifth month, 1876; then he returned to his 
home in Maine, leaving all his interests in 



280 REMINISCENCES OF 

Camden to the care of his nephew, L. D. 
Farr, only occasionally going there for a few 
days or weeks, to render any needed assist- 
ance or advice. 

During the winter above referred to, D. 
L. Moody and I. D. Sankey, the evangelists, 
held a long series of revival meetings in 
Philadelphia, several of which he attended, 
and very much enjoyed. 

The following spring he and his family 
were present at the opening of the great 
National Centennial Exhibition in Philadel- 
phia, on Fifth month, first, where they had 
the pleasure and satisfaction of seeing the 
President and several other officials of the 
United States, and also Dom Pedro, Em- 
peror of Brazil and King of Portugal, with 
his wife and their retinue. On returning 
home from the last one of these visits he 
wrote to his dear friend, Stanley Pumphrey 
of England, with whom he had recently 
very much enjoyed a visit of several days, 
at his home in Winthrop. S. P. spent more 
than two years in this country, visiting the 
churches very extensively. Soon after 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 281 

turning home his sudden death occurred, 
which caused great sadness in the heart of 
Moses Bailey, and numerous other Friends 
who had learned to love and highly esteem 
him during his visit to America. He was a 
power in the ministry, and by his death the 
Church sustained a very great loss. 

From this letter to S. P. we extract the 
following: 

We have just returned from Philadelphia, where 
we have been spending two weeks visiting the 
great Centennial Exposition. It is indeed a won- 
derful display of the products and industrial arts of 
nearly all of the nations of the earth. The interest 
in many of the arts is very much increased by their 
being contrasted with those of a hundred years ago. 
Truly marvelous are the developments which hu- 
man skill and ingenuity have produced. While all 
of the different nations are making such long and 
rapid strides in the march of improvement in the 
arts and sciences, may spiritual advancement also 
hold on its way commensurate with the develop- 
ments of an intellectual nature. 

In the autumn of 1867 M. Bailey and his 
wife took a journey south as far as North 



282 REMINISCENXES OF 

Carolina, stopping at several places on the 
way, going and returning. They attended 
the Yearly Meeting of Friends held at New 
Garden, in North Carolina. Several favored 
ministers from different parts of our own 
country, and two from England, were there, 
and the gospel was preached with much 
power, to the comfort and edification of 
many. The different sessions of the meet- 
ing were largely attended, and the business 
transacted in unity and with dispatch. 

After leaving New Garden, they vis- 
ited Deep River, High Point, Greensbor- 
ough, Bush Hill, and other places, being 
kindly entertained by Friends living in 
those localities, some of whom had formerly 
lived in Maine. While in North Carolina 
they started a mission in the northwestern 
part of the State among poor white people, 
engaging three teachers to go there and 
organize schools among them. This Educa- 
tional and Mission w r ork is still continued in 
that interesting field, under the care of a 
committee of New England Yearly Meeting, 
and much good has been accomplished, 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 283 

although by much effort, since the work of 
educating and elevating the human race is 
always slow, and sometimes progress can 
hardly be recognized except by comparing 
the present with the past An entire decade 
may be required for the comparison, in some 
cases, in order to find much to encourage 
the faithful, though sometimes disheartened, 
missionary. Ignorant people are prone to 
think that "the way their fathers trod" is 
good enough for them, hence they do not 
care to improve. But who can estimate the 
value of even one advance step ? 

After leaving North Carolina, he and his 
wife went to Danville, Virginia, and visited 
one of the large schools for Freedmen, insti- 
tuted by Friends of Philadelphia, and super- 
vised by Alfred H. Jones, of China, Maine. 
In this school there were seven hundred pu- 
pils of various ages and having very peculiar 
names, such as Mary Jumper, Minnie Inge, 
General Spraggins, Edward Fountain, Wash- 
ington Hightower, etc. All were orderly 
and appeared to be making rapid progress 
in their studies. It was noticed that in 



284 REMINISCENCES OF 

reciting their lessons they frequently gave 
the answers verbatim, sometimes entire 
pages, as found in their text books, thus 
showing a remarkable power of memory. 

At the closing exercises of the school 
they were all assembled in one room, and 
sang several hymns for their guests. Their 
voices were very musical, and, as A. H. 
Jones said, " They made the old building 
ring as it never did, when used as a hospital 
for maimed soldiers, during the War of the 
Rebellion." The visitors did not notice a 
single scholar that did not join in the exer- 
cise. The Principal said she had never seen 
one representative of this race who could 
not sing. In this respect the Africans pre- 
sent a striking contrast to the Indians. At 
an Indian school we once visited, the teacher 
told us he had never seen an aborigine who 
could sing. 

There were seven teachers in the school 
at Danville, five white and two colored. 
The visitors were much amused while call- 
ing on Delia A. Jones' class, to notice the 
effort made by the teacher to get the chil- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 285 

dren to give the sound of the letter "r" in 
pronouncing words. They persisted in say- 
ing "fo'" instead of four, "no"' instead of 
nor, etc. 

This visit to Danville was very much en- 
joyed, and the kind entertainment and hos- 
pitality of his dear friends A. H. Jones and 
wife, was never forgotten by M. Bailey. 
From Danville the travelers went to Rich- 
mond, and were there very agreeably sur- 
prised by meeting E. H. of Maine. Here 
they stopped at a hotel, but Dr. Hawkes, for- 
merly of Manchester, Maine, hearing they 
were there, sent his carriage, and conveyed 
them to his fine residence in the suburbs 
of the city, where they were very mag- 
nanimously entertained. He and his wife 
took them to see battle-fields, Government 
cemeteries, Libby Prison, and other places 
of historical interest. They also visited 
several tobacco manufactories, where they 
were much interested in seeing the filthy 
process that this filthy weed goes through 
in order to prepare it to make filthy persons 
more filthy. 



286 REMINISCENCES OF 

In Richmond they also called on several 
Friends, and were very pleasantly received. 
This journey south was often subsequently 
spoken of by M. Bailey with much interest 
and satisfaction. 

In the winter of 1877-1878, he and his 
family spent several weeks with his niece 
and her husband in Woodbury, New Jersey. 
While there he was quite sick with nervous 
prostration, and also had an attack of rheu- 
matism. As soon as his physicians consid- 
ered him strong enough to return home, he 
did so, and subsequently, when the weather 
in Maine became warm and pleasant, he 
quite regained his wonted health, which, 
however, was never very vigorous. 

In the autumn of 1878 he went to Cam- 
den to spend a few weeks on account of 
business, and was entertained at the home 
of his nephew, L. D. Farr. While absent 
at this time he wrote the following letter to 
his son : 

Philadelphia, Tenth month, 10th, 187S. 
My Dear Melvin : 

It seems like a long time since I saw thee. I 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 287 

would be real glad to see thee now. I suppose 
thee goes to school every day, having a good time, 
and learning fast as possible. Now is the time for 
thee to get all the learning thee can from books. 
There are but few years in which to go to school, 
and they will very soon pass away, and then the 
period for life's business comes, and it is very im- 
portant for boys to be prepared for that, by having 
a good education, which must be obtained in boy- 
hood, if at all. So I hope thee will improve the 
time now. Tell thy mother I received the letter 
she wrote me yesterday. She is very good to 
write so often 

By thy mother's last letter I see she intends to 
go to her father's, next fourth day. If she does, I 
think she better come here on sixth day morning, 
taking the 7.30 train from New York, on the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad, arriving at West Philadelphia 
about 10 a.m. She will probably write me again, 
so I shall know when she will come. 

Lincoln has gone home this afternoon, nearly 
sick with a cold. Ask mother to write me what 
time next month our Quarterly Meeting will be. 
Tell her I shall not go to Baltimore till she goes 
with me. Give her an extra kiss. I think of my 
little boy very often. I am about as well as usual. 

From Papa. 



288 REMINISCENCES OF 

On the next day, after writing the ab< 
letter, he was suddenly attacked with severe 
hemorrhage, which prostrated him for a few 
days. His friends telegraphed for his wife 
to come at once, and on her arrival she 
found him very weak and unable to speak 
aloud, but under the faithful and skillful 
treatment of Dr. McGeorge, he very soon 
rallied, and, in about two weeks after the 
attack, went home. He was somewhat fee- 
ble during the following winter, but not 
alarmingly so, and did not venture far from 
home. 

On Christmas Eve, 1878, his wife invited 
her Bible class, of about twenty young ladies 
and gentlemen, and also about as many 
more of their friends, to spend the evening 
with her. For a part of their entertainment 
she and her household prepared declama- 
tions, dialogues, etc. Her husband entered 
into the arrangements with hearty interest, 
and took an active part in nearly all. In 
one piece he personated a beggar, and, 
dressed in tattered garments, with slouched 
hat and cane in his hands, he tottered into 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 289 

the presence of his much amused audience, 
and declaimed "The Beggar's Lament," 
commencing with the words, 

" Pity the sorrows of a poor old man, 
Whose trembling limbs have borne him to 
your door." 

Those who were present will probably 
never forget how well he acted the part of 
an old beggar. 

He had in childhood and youth commit- 
ted to memory many poems, speeches, and 
chapters, with which he frequently enter- 
tained his household and guests, by declaim- 
ing them, with appropriate gestures, for their 
amusement. Among his favorite selections 
were " The Mummy," " The Chameleon," 
"Speech of Patrick Henry," and several 
of Whittier's, and other poems. Several 
Psalms, the thirty-fifth chapter of Isaiah, 
and the fourteenth of St. John, he could re- 
peat in a manner very impressive. 

He knew a great many interesting and in- 
structive anecdotes, which he sometimes re- 



290 REMINISCENCES OF 

lated for the entertainment of his household 
and neighbors, which would cause them to 
laugh heartily, while he would never once 
smile. These anecdotes were true ones, and 
his manner of relating them was purely 
original. Many of them were his own ex- 
periences in childhood. 

He was always cheerful, but never hilari- 
ous. We never heard him laugh aloud, and 
never saw him melancholy, but his eyes and 
entire countenance were frequently lighted 
up with laughter that could be distinctly 
seen though not heard. 

Under date of Twelfth month, 28th, 1878, 
he wrote his nephew, L. D. Farr, thus: 

Yesterday our Monthly Meeting was held at 
this place. We had eighteen to dine with us. On 
Christmas Eve we had a party at our house, made 
up of H.'s Sabbath School class and others, be- 
tween thirty and forty in all. The exercises of the 
evening, for their entertainment, were singing ap- 
propriate selections, declamations, dialogues, read- 
ings, refreshments and so forth. All seemed to 
have a hearty good time. So you see our business 
still holds on, notwithstanding the hard times. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 291 

The net profits, however, after reducing it to gold, 
are not much. 

Weather continues pleasant, yet very little 
snow. Some drag sleighs around, but they go 
hard. Ground is frozen, and wheeling pretty good. 
I have not been to Portland since we returned 
home from Philadelphia. Don't know what they 
are doing ; suppose trade is all dried up. All well 
as usual. Nothing new. 

Respectfully, 

M. B. 

When warm spring weather came he ap- 
parently regained his former strength, and 
continued in usual health and spirits. Dur- 
ing the following summer he entertained 
much company, attended to his business 
affairs, spent some time at Old Orchard 
Beach, as he had done for several summers, 
and went to Portland, Boston, Providence, 
and other places where Church or secular 
business required his presence. 

In Tenth month, 1879, he attended the 
large wedding of his niece, E. S. Bailey, 
Soon after this he went to New York and 
Philadelphia, accompanied by his wile. 



- _ REMINISCENCES OF 

While absent he wrote the following letter 
to his son. 

Camden, N. J., Eleventh month, 18th. 
My Dear Melvix : 

Thy letter was received yesterday. We were 
very glad to get it, and to learn thee was well, and 
getting along so nicely with thy studies. It was 
great pleasure to thy mother and myself to get a 
letter from thee of thy own composing and in thy 
handwriting. We think it is really a nice letter. 
We are very glad to know that thy interest is man- 
ifestly increasing in getting an education. Now is 
the time to store thy mind with literary knowl- 
edge. In a few years other things will require thy 
attention; then the education acquired now will be 
found to be almost indispensably necessary for the 
proper conducting of nearly all the affairs of life. 
When business cares require thy attention, there 
will be no time to spend in studying school books, 
to gain the knowledge which ought to be obtained 
in youth, and even if there were time, it would be 
much more difficult to learn after arriving at man- 
hood. If thy teacher thinks best for thee to have 
any different books before we get home, she may 
get them for thee. 

I am now at the oil cloth factory. Have been 
here every day since we came to Philadelphia 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 293 

We have built a new office here at the factory. It 
is a neat little house in the yard, about where the 
old trimming house used to be. We have it 
warmed by steam from the factory boiler. We are 
making all the goods we can. 

Thy mother has been quite sick with a cold for 
two or three days; was a little better this morning; 
hope she will be well soon. I am as well as 

usual It has been very warm, pleasant 

weather ever since we have been here, until today, 
now it is quite rainy. Hope you are all well, and 
getting along well. 

Lovingly thy father. 

After spending several days in each of 
the places above named, they turned home- 
ward, making several visits to relatives on 
the way, which are mentioned in the follow- 
ing letter written by him after returning 
home. 

Winthrop, Eleventh month, 26th, 1879. 
Dear Nephew : 

We arrived at home last evening, as well as 
when we left your place. Found all well at home. 
From Philadelphia we went directly to F. C. Tay- 
lor's home. Found them well and very nicely situ- 
19 



294 REMINISCENCES OF 

ated and enjoying life. They have a very pleasant 
location and a delightful country around them. 
We had a real good visit with them. 

At half past four, next afternoon, we left there 
to go to brother John's, at Jersey City. Had no 
trouble in getting there, though it required consid- 
erable time. John met us at the ferry. Arrived 
at his house at 7.30 o'clock, just in time to go with 
him and L. to meeting to hear the renowned Mrs. 
H. preach a thorough Universalist discourse. She 
is really a smart woman, and said a good many 
good and true things, as well as some not in 
accordance with my views. I liked very much to 
hear her preach, yet I could but wish that her su- 
perior talents as a sermonizer might be devoted to 
preaching the gospel somewhat differently. The 
next forenoon we went over to New York. I 
stopped at Duane street awhile, and H. went up 
town and made P. Sampson a visit 

Found quite good sleighing when we arrived 
at home, about five or six inches of snow. Not 
very cold. 

Very respectfully, 

Moses Bailey. 

At the New Year's anniversary and reor- 
ganization of the Bible School at Winthrop, 
on the first Sabbath of the year 18S0, Moses 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 295 

Bailey read the following essay, which he 
had written for the occasion. 

Another cycle in time's unwearied course has 
rolled around, another twelve months in rapid 
flight have passed away, and the commencement of 
the year now gone forever, as we look back upon 
it, seems but as yesterday. How very short the 
period ! With what rapidity it has sped ! As we 
stood at its threshold, and looked forward through 
the days, and weeks, and months which were to 
make up the year then just begun, with what 
pleasing thoughts and glowing anticipations did 
fancy picture to our minds scenes of happiness, 
profit and delight ! Many and various plans were 
formed, high hopes of success were entertained, in 
the consummation of which we expected our cup 
of joy would be full. Day after day came and 
passed, till soon months had gone, but we made 
no special note of their departure. Our fancied 
hopes of happiness had not yet been realized, still 
we looked forward with undaunted anticipations, 
imagining we saw in the near future the goal at 
which our happiness would be complete. But soon 
another month was numbered with the past, and 
yet our fancied expectations were not realized. 
And thus the year has gone, and our pleasing 
hopes of happiness are no nearer their attainment 



296 REMINISCENCES OF 

than they were a year ago. But had we obtained 
all our heart's desire of earthly joy, we would not 
even then have been satisfied, and why ? Because 
we are immortal beings ; therefore the things of 
earth which are sublunary and perishing can never 
satisfy the soul, which is destined to exist when all 
of earth is dead, when sun, and moon, and stars 
shall have been forgotten, and time shall be no 
more. 

Now that the year has closed with all its attend- 
ant joys and sorrows, and a new one is ushered in, 
it is fitting for us to look back over the past, and 
ponder well the blessings which have been so 
abundantly granted us. True, many things which 
we fondly anticipated enjoying have not been real- 
ized, but we are able now to see that some of 
them, if granted, would have been an obstacle in 
the way of our best interests. Often, when that 
which our hearts most ardently desired has been 
withheld, some other blessing was given, from 
which far greater joy has been experienced than 
ever our fondest anticipations had pictured to our 
minds. 

Thus it is that our merciful Father, the giver of 
every good and perfect gift, deals with His chil- 
dren. No good thing will He withhold from them 
that walk uprightly. But we in our frailty and 
short-sightedness sometimes desire and even pray 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 297 

for that which, if granted, would be of more harm 
than benefit. How true then it is that we know 
not what to pray for as we ought. It is only when 
our desires and petitions are approved by God's 
Holy Spirit that they will surely be guided aright. 
Then, instead of mourning and repining because all 
our hopes have not been realized, we ought rather 
to feel truly thankful to our God that He, in His 
infinite goodness and mercy, has had such watch- 
ful care and tender regard for us as to withhold 
granting our misguided desires and requests. 
There are others of which we do not as yet see the 
reason why they are denied, but we may rest 
assured that it is for our benefit, and that the time 
will come when all will be made plain to our un- 
derstanding. It may not be in this world, but 
" what we know not now, we shall know hereafter. ,, 

During the year just closed, thousands of the in- 
habitants of the earth have been removed from 
this to the eternal world, and the immortal mind 
circumscribed and bound by the ties of earth, has 
been loosed and set free to roam unrestrained 
through boundless fields of ever widening range. 

The life of man on earth is simply but the pre- 
lude to a life that never ends. The child, just 
ushered into existence, has started on a voyage of 
awful length. He has commenced a being that is 
eternal ; has been clothed with mortality and 



298 REMINISCENCES OF 

placed here on earth for a short space of time, sim- 
ply to receive his primary training and growth, in 
order that he may be fitted to be transplanted into 
the broad fields of eternity. Of the time when this 
shall be, knoweth no man, any more than the tree 
or shrub knows the time when the gardener will 
transplant it from its narrow enclosure to the open 
field. But this one thing he does know, for God 
has told it to him in His holy written Word, that 
as he is when that change comes which we call 
death, so will he be eternally, whether unholy or 
righteous. 

It was by yielding to temptation that man fell 
from happiness complete and the pinnacle of bliss, 
to depths of woe. O, wondrous change ! O, 
thought almost beyond belief, that man, to death 
and ruin should himself consign ! How oft we say, 
"'tis strange, 'tis passing strange." But is it not 
far more strange that we, in this condition will re- 
main, when God in pity, love and mercy to our 
souls has made ample provision for our escape and 
restoration to favor with Himself, simply by ac- 
ceptance of His appointed means ? Yet myriads, 
we have reason to believe, are still by Satan bound, 
who feel their lot is only misery and woe. To 
such we would say, believe the Word of God, and 
accept His free pardon through faith in His dear 
Son. May none of us permit another day of this 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 299 

new-born year to pass without assurance of recon- 
ciliation with Him, that we are redeemed from 
death, and that through the atoning blood of 
Christ, our sins are all forgiven. 

During the winter months of 1879-1880 
Moses Bailey enjoyed quite good health, or 
at least as good as usual. In the latter part 
of First month, 1880, he was attacked with 
pneumonia, from which he was brought very 
low, so that for a time recovery seemed 
very doubtful, but by the care and atten- 
tion of a faithful physician and loving 
friends, including among the latter his broth- 
er-in-law, T. M. Johnston of Portland, who 
left business, and devoted his entire time for 
several weeks to the care of the dear sick 
one, and with the blessing of the Great Phy- 
sician upon their efforts, he was enabled 
again to rally. 

We shall never forget his great joy when, 
for the first time in nearly eight weeks, he 
met again with his household at the table 
and family altar. There he offered a vocal 
prayer of earnest thanksgiving and praise 
for this sweet privilege, and asked for rich 



300 REMINISCENCES OF 

blessings upon those who had so long and 
faithfully administered to his needs. 

Under date of Third month, 19th, he 
wrote: 

I am still slowly improving in health and 
strength; have been able to ride out twice, made 
the first attempt two days ago. It is eight weeks 
today since I was taken sick. That is a very 
short time when one is well, but it seems very dif- 
ferent when we are confined to the bed, or even to 
one room. 

He attended Monthly Meeting held at 
Winthrop in the latter part of Third month, 
and, although feeble, he served as Clerk 
with his wonted vigor and interest. The 
warm spring weather of Fifth month recu- 
perated him. 

In Sixth month he went to Yearly 
Meeting at Newport, feeling apparently as 
well as before his recent illness. He very 
much enjoyed the sessions of the meeting, 
and the company of the many Friends from 
different parts of the country with whom he 
met and mingled. He was heartily inter- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 301 

y 

ested in the transaction of business, espe- 
cially that part relating to Home and For- 
eign Missions. This was the last Yearly- 
Meeting he was ever able to attend. He 
had not once failed to be present at New 
England Yearly Meeting, in more than 
twenty years. 

Soon after returning home from Newport 
he took his little son and went to Philadel- 
phia on business ; returning, they went up 
the Hudson river, and joined his wife at 
Plattekill, where they made a visit at her 
fathers. 

In the latter part of Seventh month, 1880, 
he and his wife spent a few days at Old 
Orchard Beach, and on the evening of 
Eighth month, second, they left there to go 
to Providence, Rhode Island, to attend a 
meeting of the Board of Managers of the 
Friends' Boarding School at that place. 
During this meeting much important busi- 
ness was transacted, in which he was partic- 
ularly interested. This accomplished, they 
started on their return home, taking the 
seven o'clock p.m. train from Boston to 



302 REMINISCENCES OF 

Portland. A short time before arriving 
there he was attacked with violent hemor- 
rhage of the lungs. Not wishing, on arrival, 
to alarm any of their friends in the city, 
they went to the Falmouth Hotel. The 
hemorrhage ceased, so that they quietly 
spent the night, and went home to Winthrop 
on the next day. He was very calm, and 
did not seem at all alarmed. He attended 
to considerable business before leaving in 
the morning, and told no one of his sudden 
attack. 

The next day, as he was entertaining a 
number of guests, while at tea he was again 
seized with hemorrhage, and this was suc- 
ceeded within a few days by a series of 
attacks, thirteen in all, which very much re- 
duced his strength, and greatly alarmed his 
family and friends, though he assured them 
of his own belief that he would soon rally, 
and be spared to them a while longer. After 
this he was confined to his bed several days, 
and was unable to speak above a whisper. 
Dr. B. of Boston was summoned by Dr. C. 
of Winthrop for consultation. They cle- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 303 

cided that, although his lungs were affected, 
yet by the utmost care the disease might be 
somewhat arrested, or at least greatly hin- 
dered, in its progress. This proved to be 
the case, and although he was very feeble 
all winter, and unable to take a journey to 
Florida, as he had hoped to do, yet as the 
weather became favorable in the spring he 
was able to ride out, and sometimes went 
several miles from home without much ap- 
parent fatigue. 

In Ninth month, 1880, Sarah B. Satter- 
thwaite of England and Mary White of Scot- 
land, ministers of the Society of Friends, 
attended Fairfield Quarterly Meeting held 
at Manchester, and made their home at his 
house. Their visit was a source of great 
enjoyment and comfort to him in his very 
feeble state of health, and he often after- 
ward spoke of it with feelings of grateful 
appreciation. 

At the time of the usual family devotion, 
on the morning these dear friends bade him 
a final farewell, expecting soon to complete 
their labors in America, and return to their 



304 REMINISCENCES OF 

own country, S. B. S. prayed in a most feel- 
ing, earnest manner for the dear invalid, and 
for each member of his family separately. 
Every word of the prayer seemed to be in- 
dited by the Holy Spirit, and clearly to bear 
His sanction, having a power never to be for- 
gotten by those present. After the solemn 
parting salutations which followed, Moses 
Bailey exclaimed to his wife : " O that won- 
derful prayer ! that wonderful prayer ! " It 
seemed to thrill his very soul, and to bring 
heaven so near to earth that he almost felt 
it would be glorious to step from the one 
to the other without further waiting or 
suffering. 

What rich foretastes Christians some 
times have granted them "of the joys that 
await them in yon blissful region, the haven 
of rest ! " These are most frequently expe- 
rienced, we believe, in times when the soul 
is holding communion with its Creator in 
the name of its Saviour and Intercessor. 
Then He frequently deigns to send the 
blessed Comforter to cheer and encourage 
the heart of His trusting child, whose aspi- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 305 

rations are after forgiveness, faith, love, pu- 
rity, and the joys of Christ's salvation. Yet, 
to the soul thus blest, how more than won- 
derful it seems that "eye hath not seen, ear 
hath not heard, neither have entered into 
the heart of man the things God hath pre- 
pared for them that love Him." Glorious 
thought ! Inconceivable love, the love of 
God for His redeemed children ! 

During the winter of 1 880-1881, Moses 
Bailey very much enjoyed the company of 
his friends, many of whom visited him. He 
also enjoyed reading, or having his wife 
read to him. His interest in the Bible 
School at Baileyville continued unabated. 
The following letter signed by the members 
of his Bible class, thirteen in number, re- 
ceived on Christmas day, was greatly appre- 
ciated by him. 

Baileyville, Twelfth month, 25th, 1880. 
Beloved Teacher : 

Not unmindful of thy unwearied labor during 
years which are past, as a genial companion and 
efficient teacher of the Bible class, our hearts 
prompt a fitting expression of our appreciation, 



30G REMINISCENCES OF 

and \vc are reminded that the gospel is founded 
upon giving. Buying and selling are unknown in 
spiritual things. God gives us Jesus, gives us eter- 
nal life, gives us grace and glory, gives us every- 
thing good, in fact, and then, moved by love to 
Him, we give ourselves back to Him and His 
people. The gift of God must always be " un- 
speakable," because when it is best realized, speech 
fails. 

We have heard of a dear lover of Christ who 
wished to join a certain Church. She said too 
little at first to satisfy the committee who visited 
her, but finally, bursting through the bands, she 
cried out, " I cannot speak for Him, but I could 
die for Him!" Many are in like difficulty, they 
could more easily die for Christ than tell out freely 
their sense of His love; but we praise Him that 
He will accept the " alabaster box," when we 
break it gladly for His sake. 

Let deeds of holy consecration mark the path- 
way of our lives as a love-token and tribute of His 
grace. 

Now, as our thoughts turn again gratefully to 
thee, something whispers softly in our ears, — if 
he were asked what he most desired from those 
whom he has so faithfully instructed, the reply 
would be like the little boy's when similarly inter- 
rogated : " My wish is so large, so sweet, I hardly 




A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 307 

dare tell it; it swallows up all other wishes; I 
wish you all knew Jesus." This wish of thine, we 
trust, is realized, and that the music of our conse- 
crated lives shall accord to the tune of " perfect 
love " to Christ, and consequent affection toward 
one another, until, graduating from the Bible 
School of earth, we enter the higher school of 
heaven, where "we shall know as we are known," 
and dwell beneath the radiance of a Saviour's 
smile. May thy brow there, dear teacher, be 
adorned with a crown decked with stars immortal. 

On the first Sabbath of the year 1881, 
Moses Bailey sent an essay to be read be- 
fore the Bible School at Winthrop, from 
which we extract the following: 

My Dear Friends : 

.... The old year with all its pleasures and 
its pains, its joys and its sorrows, with all our well- 
meant and ill-meant desires, all our good deeds 
and evil deeds, is forever past and cannot be re- 
called. We hope and trust that we individually 
have known what it is to have the past year's ac- 
counts, as well as those of all previous years, fully 
settled and adjusted between God and ourselves, 
and are prepared to commence the year just 



308 REMINISCENCES OF 

ushered in, with nothing remaining ever to be 
called up again. While we may review the past, 
and consider our many failures and mistakes, for 
the purpose of stimulating us to more constant 
watchfulness in the future lest we fall again into 
the same or similar errors, how unspeakably pleas- 
ant the reflection that all these various vicissitudes 
through which we have passed, are gone, and all 
our past sins of omission and commission have 
through repentance toward God and faith in our 
Lord Jesus Christ, been forgiven, and that now we 
stand justified before Him the same as though we 
had never committed sin. 

O glorious thought ! O happy state ! that of 
once lost sinners, now by grace sav£d ! Just as 
surely as we know the old year is forever gone, 
and a new era has dawned upon us, so sure may 
we be that our old sins of rebellion and unbelief 
have been taken away. 

If it be that there is one of you who has not 
known of this great change, that old things have 
passed away and all things become new, we would 
most earnestly invite such to come now, nor let 
another day pass until you can truly say, 

" My Saviour, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine, 
For Thee all the pleasures of sin I resign." 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 309 

Now dear friends, members of this Bible School, 
with many of whom I have been intimately asso- 
ciated for a number of years, allow me to say, I 
love you all, and desire your prosperity and ad- 
vancement in every good work, and would, if pos- 
sible, encourage you to persevere untiringly in that 
labor in which you are engaged. It is indeed a 
noble and a glorious work, that of acquainting 
yourselves with the doctrines and precepts con- 
tained in the Holy Scriptures. In those Scriptures 
we have an account of God's dealings with man 
from creation's primeval dawn to the death, resur- 
rection and ascension of His own dear Son, the 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

On these sacred pages we learn of man's cre- 
ation in the image of his Maker, his pure and 
happy state in paradise, the law given him to ob- 
serve, the penalty annexed, and of his transgres- 
sion and death. Here, too, we find delineated, 
from the first embryo predictive promise on 
through successive ages, unfolding in type and 
prophecy, the great and marvelous plan for man's 
redemption and restoration to the divine favor and 
image 

Before leaving this world, the scene of His hu- 
miliation, suffering and sorrow, when His disciples 
were overwhelmed with grief because their cleat- 
Lord was about to be taken from them, 1 le ad- 
20 



310 REMINISCENCES OF 

dressed them in this most consolatory language : 
" Let not your heart be troubled ; ye believe in 
God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house 
are many mansions, if it were not so I would have 
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if 
I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again 
and receive you unto Myself, that where I am 
there ye may be also." Again He said, "It is ex- 
pedient for you that I go away, for if I go not 
away the Comforter will not come unto you, but if 
I depart I will send Him unto you." This Com- 
forter, which is the Holy Ghost, He said should 
abide with them always and guide them into all 
truth. 

These are some of the blessed promises which 
we find recorded in the Bible for our instruction 
and comfort while passing through this world of 
probation. Can such an account and such glori- 
ous promises fail to interest any of us ? Surely 
not! 

Were we to be presented with a book which we 
knew would inform us of the way to obtain tem- 
poral riches, honor, and an earthly crown, yea, 
everything that the human heart and the human 
mind could possibly desire, would we not be very 
eager and extremely anxious to study it, and ac- 
quaint ourselves with such a work ? Would we 
not spend days and even nights in searching its 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 311 

pages, that we might be sure to fully under- 
stand the author's words in all their import ? How 
ready we would be to follow their dictation, toiling 
hard, sacrificing present enjoyment, exposing our- 
selves to great inconvenience. All this we would 
be willing to do in order to obtain a fleeting, per- 
ishable earthly treasure which might at any mo- 
ment slip from our grasp, or which, if we were 
able to hold it a short time, short at the very 
longest, might prove to us a curse instead of a 
blessing. 

Now, of how much greater value and importance 
to us are heavenly treasures and enduring riches, 
of which all the fluctuations of life can never de- 
prive us, also that eternal and unfading crown of 
glory which can never be wrested from us, that 
kingdom which can never be destroyed, and with 
all these a life eternal and joys unending 

In our study and contemplation of the Scriptures 
we shall find many things which unaided hurfian 
reason cannot understand, or the dim light of 
nature fathom. These we must accept with sim- 
ple, child-like faith, knowing they are true, be- 
cause God hath said them. All Scripture is given 
by His inspiration, and the illumination of the 
Holy Spirit is often requisite to a right comprehen- 
sion of the truths therein contained. Let us then 



812 REMINISCENCES OF 

with prayerful hearts seek this help which is freely 
promised to all who ask 

Although I have for a long time been deprived 
of the privilege of meeting with you in the Sab- 
bath School, yet my mind is often there, and I look 
back on past scenes and associations, the remem- 
brance of which is a comfort to me in some of my 
lonely hours. I trust I am also remembered by 
you, and that I have your prayers. 

And now, dear friends, — officers, teachers and 
scholars, may the blessing of Him who dwelleth in 
the heaven of heavens be upon you, now and al- 
ways. May this be to you all, what we most ear- 
nestly desire, a " Happy New Year." 

The following response to the above was 
sent him by the Bible School: 

Dear Brother: 

Our hearts were cheered and encouraged by 
thy New Year's greeting, expressing thy interest 
in our work and earnest desires that each one of 
us might know that all of our sins are washed 
away in the precious blood of Jesus our Saviour, 
and commence the New Year with hearts filled 
with the love of God and attuned to His praise. 
We are glad to be thus remembered by one with 
whom we have been so long, and so pleasantly as- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 313 

sociated; whose efforts have been untiring for the 
best interests of our school, and who has so faith- 
fully labored, as a teacher, in the study of the 
written Word of God, which is able to make us 
"wise unto salvation through faith which is in 
Christ Jesus." 

As we gather week by week in our Sabbath 
School, we miss thy warm greeting and encourag- 
ing words, and our hearts go up to our Heavenly 
Father, asking Him to be with thee and bless thee, 
and to sustain thee in all thy privations and suf- 
ferings, and give peace, comfort and joy, and at 
last grant unto thee an abundant entrance into 
that city whose walls are salvation, and whose 
gates are praise. 

With much love to thee we direct our Superin- 
tendent to sign this on our behalf. 

Henry Winslow, Superintendent, 
Winthrop, First month, 1881. 



CHAPTER XII. 

SHORT JOURNEYS LAST SICKNESS DEATH 

FUNERAL OBITUARIES LETTERS 

OF CONDOLENCE. 

In the Sixth month of 1881, Moses Bailey 
was able to take a journey to Portland, 
where, in company with his wife, he spent 
ten days, receiving the generous hospitalities 
of his friend and business partner, J. S. Mar- 
rett, and of his estimable wife. This visit 
was greatly enjoyed by the dear invalid, who, 
although then very feeble, was able to enjoy 
the comforts prepared for him and the calls 
of many friends who came to see him. 

New England Yearly Meeting was held 
in Portland during the time of his stay 
there, and many dear Friends from distant 
states called on him. He was unable to at- 
tend any sessions of the Meeting. 

On the twenty-eighth of Ninth month, 
1881, his brother-in-law, C. L. Johnston, who 



316 REMINISCENCES OF 

had been a member of his family three 
years, and to whom he was very much at- 
tached, left his home in Winthrop to enter 
as a student the medical college at Ann 
Arbor, Michigan. Moses Bailey approved 
of this course, but it was very hard to have 
him go at this time, when the kind care 
and devotion to all his interests which had 
been received from this dear brother was 
so much needed, but the good accounts 
afterward frequently received from various 
sources respecting his success in study, etc., 
comforted him very much, and he became 
reconciled to his own loss. His interest in 
this brother was very great, and he often ex- 
pressed the most sanguine hopes of his suc- 
cess in the profession he had chosen, and 
earnest desires for his welfare, both temporal 
and spiritual. 

During the summer his health had re- 
markably recruited, so that in Tenth month 
he went again to Portland, and accomplished 
considerable business. He spent several days 
there, and returned home feeling so well 
that he began to talk of a journey to Phila- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 317 

delphia for the transaction of business. On 
one very pleasant morning, early in Elev- 
enth month, he ventured to ride to Hallo- 
well and Augusta, eight miles distant from 
his home, to attend to some important mat- 
ters. While at Hallowell a sudden change 
in the weather made it necessary for him to 
return at once. The weather continued un- 
favorable for some time, which rendered it 
unsafe for him to venture out, and the con- 
templated journey was necessarily given up. 

During the winter of 1881-1882, his 
cough increased, and it was painfully appar- 
ent to his friends and family that they might 
hardly hope for him again to rally, or regain 
even the strength which he had enjoyed the 
previous summer. 

On Seventh month thirteenth, his wife 
wrote a friend thus : 

My dear husband is very feeble indeed. His 
state of health involves us in most painful suspense. 

" What Thou shalt today provide, 
Let me as a child receive ; 

What to-morrow may betide 
Calmly to Thy wisdom leave." 



318 REMINISCENCES OF 

During the few last weeks of the year 
1SS1, he at times suffered intense pain, but 
was exceedingly patient. During one of 
these paroxysms, as he was lying on the 
sofa, suffering, and everything had been 
done for his relief that seemed possible, his 
wife feeling discouraged, exclaimed, "It is 
too bad!" "No," he replied, "it is not too 
bad, it is all right." He afterward said, 
- O how 

u ' Weak and irresolute is man ! 
His purpose of today, 
Woven with pain into his plan, 
To-morrow rends away ! ' " 

On the twenty-seventh of Twelfth month, 
he received the following letter from a mem- 
ber of his Bible class, which imparted so 
much comfort and encouragement to him in 
his sufferings, that we give it a place here 
for the perusal of others. 

My Dear Friend and Brother in Christ: 

As another Christmas has come and gone, 
and in view of the great blessing spared the 
Church in the lengthening out of the tender 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 319 

thread of life to thee, I can only say, " Great and 
marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty : 
just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of Saints. " 

I am not impressed to write thee in order to en- 
courage thee to put thy trust in God, for I know 
thee does so, and that the Everlasting Arms are 
supporting thee gloriously even when pain racks 
the poor body, but a word of appreciation if I 
could give it, I would like to whisper to thee. 

I am thinking of bygone days, when, as our 
teacher, all of us awaited with confidence thy de- 
cision on all our knotty questions, and our hearts 
twined around thine in friendship's closest bonds. 

Our school did not then number as many as 
now. It was like the beginning of a rivulet's flow : 
started in the right direction it gathered momen- 
tum as its waters steadily approached the distant 
sea. We hope to profit by thy careful, faithful 
instructions, and increase in every good thing as 
our days go by, until we reach the goal, not so very 
far distant it may be, whither we are tending. 

I remember tonight thy accustomed seat, and 
thy dear wife's, too, in the meeting. We miss you. 
I miss you more than you can know, and very 
often I find myself invoking a blessing on you, 
which this evening is earnestly renewed. I some- 
times fancy you remember us as well, and pray 
for us. 



320 REMINISCENCES OF 

Although the one hundred and twenty-first 
Psalm has been my watchword very much of late, 
I confess that human sympathy is sweet, and to 
know that loving hearts remember us, does give us 
courage. I think God loves to have us serve Him, 
and each other, in this way. I pray my dear Heav- 
enly Father that He will be pleased to spare thee 
to us many days yet. This wish may be selfish ; I 
have no doubt that heaven is sweeter and Jesus 
dearer than this world can possibly be to thee. . . 

The Christian Church here receives many sur- 
prising blessings, and I expect that when heaven 
dawns upon us it will be one grand surprise. 
" The half was never told ! " 

Continue to bear on the wings of faith to the 
mercy seat, our little Church. 

Truly thy friend, 

H. N. J. 

During the First month of the year 1882, 
those paroxyms of pain to which we have 
referred became more frequent and severe, 
so that it was apparent to himself and all his 
friends that unless relief could be obtained 
he would not long survive. 

On the evening of the eighteenth of First 
month, after one of these seasons of suffer- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 321 

ing, as he lay on the sofa, and his wife sat 
beside him, he said to her, " I believe I am 
resigned to whatever may be in the future. 
Nothing less than a miracle could now cure 
me. I know that Jesus could do that just 
as easily as when He was personally on 
earth, if it were best to do so, and I believe 
it will be done if it is best, but if not it wall 
all be right. Whether I recover or whether 
I die, I believe all will be well with me. I 
see nothing contrary. I hope it is not a de- 
lusion of the evil one, I have had enough of 
him all my life. I hope he is not tempting 
me now." 

He then spoke of many gone before, 
whom he said he would soon see and know ; 
said fie had many friends here with whom 
he would be glad to stay a few more years 
if it could be for the best, u but," said he, 
" you will all come soon. I sometimes think 
it would be nice if we could all go together, 
but that is not best." He spoke of the 
death of his first wife, nearly fifteen years 
ago, and said, " It was a severe trial I passed 
through then, and I did not think at that 



322 REMINISCENCES OF 

time I could survive her so long. I felt that 
I had nothing more to live for. But I have 
formed new ties, have now much to live 
for, and would be glad to stay longer if it 
were best. I had grace to bear the bitter 
trial of separation, and thou, my dear wife, 
will find it hard, but will have grace given to 
support thee also, and our dear child to 
comfort thee." 

A few days after this, while suffering 
much pain, he said: 

"' Poor and needy though I be, 
God my Maker cares for me/ 

What should I do if He did not?" He 
often afterward repeated, " Poor and needy." 
One night, after retiring, he said slowly and 
with emphasis : 

" Just as I am without one plea, 
But that Thy blood was shed for me, 
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, 
O Lamb of God, I come." 

Soon after, he continued: 

" Just as I am, and waiting not 
To rid my soul of one dark blot," 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 323 

Then added, " I cannot say the rest, I'm so 
tired, but He knows it all ! " 

During a part of the Second month, he 
was very much better, so that at times his 
family tried to cheer themselves with the 
hope that he might at least partially recover, 
and his precious life be lengthened out a 
few years more. 

About this time two Christian Arabs 
from Palestine visited this country, and 
came to Winthrop, Sheik Selim Hishmeh, 
the Chief of the Moabites, and his cousin 
Joseph Hishmeh. The former was the 
guide of Stanley, and discoverer of Dr. Liv- 
ingstone; his home was on Mount Zion, 
Jerusalem. They spent several days with 
Moses Bailey and his family, by invitation, 
and he was much interested in hearing them 
tell about and illustrate the manners and 
customs of their tribe, and describe the 
beautiful land from which they came. On 
one of these occasions, when they had been 
speaking of the exceedingly rich products 
of their native country, of the wheat, the 
grapes of Eshcol, etc., he remarked that he 



324 REMINISCENCES OF 

had, until recently, hoped that he might 
sometime visit Palestine, but now had aban- 
doned all expectation of going there while 
he had this weak, miserable body to carry; 
11 But after I get rid of this clay/' he said, 
" I may visit the Holy Land in company 
with Eli Jones." He afterward said, and 
wrote down by request the following : 

We doubt not that when the immortal mind 
shall be freed from the shackles that bind it to 
earth, its range of thought and contemplation will 
be immeasurably extended and its capacity for en- 
joyment proportionately enlarged; it will then roam 
unfettered and unrestrained through boundless 
space, will visit, perchance, worlds innumerable, 
study the laws by which they are upheld and gov- 
erned, ever beholding new beauties, and ever more 
and more adoring the Creator's works. Thus to all 
eternity shall the immortal spirit go on increasing 
in knowledge, forever nearing, yet never attaining, 
to that of the Infinite. 

On the last evening before the Arabians 
left Winthrop to return to their native land, 
he gave them a valedictory reception. Many 
came to bid them a last parting adieu. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 325 

After having refreshments and a pleasant 
social time, some one — we think it was 
Moses Bailey — requested that the last half 
hour, before the final parting, should be 
spent in prayer, which was done. Several 
vocal prayers were offered, one in Arabic, 
one in broken English, and the others in 
our native tongue, but all were alike heard 
by the God of all nations, and a rich bless- 
ing followed. Farewells were spoken amid 
tears, and the company separated, never 
more to meet on this side of the river; but 
may all who were present at that very enjoy- 
able but impressive and memorable social 
gathering, meet again in the " bright for- 
ever," where, 

" Beyond this vale of tears 
There is a life above, 
Unnumbered by the flight of years, 
And all that life is love." 

During the first clays of the Third month, 
his sufferings increased, and he was evidently 
growing weaker. On Third month, four- 
teenth, his wife wrote thus to a friend: 
21 



326 REMINISCENCES OF 

There have been many days of watchful anx- 
iety since my last letter was written. I see my 
darling failing daily, but amid all his weakness and 
suffering he is, O, so patient and trustful, never 
complaining ! " As the outward man perisheth, 
the inward man is renewed day by day." 

Today on being asked how he was, he replied, 
u I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh 
upon me ; " and often, since, he has repeated the 
words, "poor and needy," with emphasis. 

On the fourteenth day of Third month, E. C. M 
and her daughter from Hallowell visited him. 
The former offered vocal prayer for him. On 
taking leave she remarked that she hoped he 
might get better, if it were the dear Lord's will. 
He replied that God could and would raise him up, 
if it were best, " and if not," said he, " I ought not 
to desire it, and I believe I do not. I can truly say 
I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon 
me; yes, He thinketh upon me. O, what should 
I do if it were not so!" He did not attempt to 
leave his bed until three o'clock p.m. ; he then 
arose, dressed, and went down stairs. On the 
eighteenth he stayed all day in the sitting-room, 
lying on the sofa, or reclining in an easy chair. 
In the evening he had a severe paroxysm of pain; 
after which he went upstairs to his room, and was 
never able to come down again. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 327 

On the nineteenth of Third month his 
wife wrote the following in her diary : 

The long feared and dreaded time has arrived, 
and my darling is confined to his bed, and appar- 
ently nearing that cold stream we call death. To 
its brink we can attend him, and minister to his 
temporal wants, but can go no farther, though we 
must all, as he says, soon cross the stream one by 
one, and can then join him on the other side. He 
has long been walking in the border-land, and in 
all these months of suffering and weakness has 
been an example of perfect patience and remarka- 
ble courage. O, how can we endure the trial of 
giving him up ! How can I go through life with- 
out his sheltering love and guiding wisdom, with- 
out his strong character and superior judgment 
to balance my impulsive nature and sanguine 
temperament, to so lovingly and gently, as he 
always does, convince me of my too often hastily 
and ill-formed conclusions! 

On the twenty-third his brother William 
came to see him. To him he said, " I hope 
to be able to go out again if it is best, and 
if so, I shall, but if not, I ought not to ask it. 
I feel that all will be well if I am taken 
away. The Lord knows best; I rely wholly 



328 REMINISCENCES OF 

on His grace. The Everlasting arms are 
supporting me; nothing else could support 
me in these trying hours. * The Lord is 
my refuge and strength.' " 

At another time he said, " I know that no 
earthly power can raise me from this sick- 
ness, but the Lord can and will, if it is for 
the best. I believe all will be right, either 
way. I believe I am resigned." 

In the latter part of Third month his 
friend, J. S. Marrett of Portland, spent a few 
days with him, and on taking leave received 
his blessing. Clasping the hand of his 
friend warmly, with earnest, heartfelt words 
he said : " The Lord bless thee ; the Lord 
prosper thee in all thy undertakings. Do 
all to His glory, and He will bless thee." 

This was a sad parting from one much 
beloved, and with whom he had been pleas- 
antly and harmoniously associated in busi- 
ness more than eleven years. It was then 
thought that the dear sufferer could not sur- 
vive many days, but he lived several weeks. 
The following letter speaks in unmistaka- 
ble words of this parting. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 329 

Saturday Night, April 22d. 
My Dear Mrs. Bailey : 

Your letter of this morning reached me this 

afternoon I do not think of going to see 

you. It seems to me that I have parted with your 
husband, never again to see him in this world. It 
was a sad experience for me to say good by to 
him, as I did the last time; and although it may 
seem weak in me, I feel that I could not go 
through it again. I have never during my life felt 
so strongly attached to a man as I have to him. 
There is so much in him that is congenial to my 
mind that I cannot help loving him. I feel the 
cloud of affliction that hangs suspended over us all; 
I say us, for I feel as though I belonged to him 
and he to me. Thank Providence that I have so 
little time to brood over it; but as I lay my head 
on my pillow each night, my thoughts are with the 
patient sufferer, and I sincerely feel for your 
troubles, which are so very much greater. 

There are no words of sympathy that I can 
write. What is there of comfort I can say ? 
Pardon me that I should write thus, but I cannot 
express myself differently. Tell him, if he asks 
about me, that I am well, and say anything good 
that you wish. 

With much love, 

J. S. M. 



330 REMINISCENCES OF 

The following letter was received, a few 
days later, from one who was a long time 
governess for Moses Bailey's son and a 
member of his household: 



Montgomery, N. Y., June 7th, 1882. 
My Dear Friend H. : 

Your letter came to hand in due season, and 
it afforded me great satisfaction to know that amid 
your varied cares, and out of the deep sea of your 
troubles, you could get a spare thought for me. I 
hear that the life so precious to you all still lingers, 
fanned no doubt by the constant care and devotion 
of loved ones. I trust your own health may be 
preserved throughout all these lonely, weary, anx- 
ious vigils, and that " He who is faithful " and has 
promised to be a " Husband to the widow," may 
be your comforter and friend. I have tested His 
promise in regard to the fatherless, and know that 
His word is truth. 

I yet think it possible that M. may remain with 
you until the autumn, but God knows best, and 
in any event, the exchange of worlds to him can 
only be an accession of bliss. I consider your 
husband to possess one of the purest, meekest and 
most saint-like spirits I have ever known, and I 
thank God that in my time it has been my privi- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 331 

lege to know at least one person, who to my 
knowledge, by word or act, never put to shame 
his Christian profession. It may be justly said 
of him, " Come, let us gather here and see how a 
righteous man can die." .... 

Remember me to friends, and if M. be able to 
receive it, give him my love, and believe me to be 
in deep sympathy, 

Yours, 

M. 

The following was received from Moses 
Bailey's father-in-law: 

Plattekill, N. Y., Third month, 19th, 1882. 
My Dear Daughter : 

We received a letter from thee yesterday, and 
were glad to hear from dear M., who has en- 
deared himself to us by that sweet and Christian 
spirit which has characterized him through all of 
our acquaintance. It has been the burden of daily 
prayer in our family that his life might be con- 
tinued to us, and it has been prolonged beyond our 
expectation. Our stay here in the Church mili- 
tant, even at the longest, is very short, and is a 
time of labor, suffering and death, but it is a cheer- 
ing thought that the Church above is a place of 



332 REMINISCENCES OF 

rest, peace and joy. " Blessed are the dead who 
die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors." 

I have often thought of the last words uttered 
by M.'s father, that he was " going to rest." Our 
stay and our repose here are very short, but when 
we get to the Church triumphant above, they will 
last forever. As Dr. Watts has it : 

" When we \*e been there ten thousand years. 
Bright shining as the sun, 
We Ve no less days to sing God's praise 
Than when we first begun." 

We want thee, dear H., to get into a spirit of 
true resignation to the will of Providence, as much 
as possible. I think we who have known M. can- 
not have a doubt that when he passes away, he 
will be safely gathered Love to all, and es- 
pecially to the dear sufferer. 

Thy father, 

D. Johnston. 

On the night of Third month, twenty- 
seventh, Moses Bailey suffered intensely 
with pain and coughing. The next morning 
he said to his wife, " O, my dear wife, I have 
had a hard night of suffering. These are 
wearisome days and troublesome nights." 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 333 

To his brother Charles, who called to see 
him on this morning, he said: " All that can 
be obtained of earthly wealth in this life, by- 
hard struggle and labor, is of little conse- 
quence in such an hour as this. It can do 
nothing for us except to furnish wherewith 
to make us more confortable. I need much 
done for me. I don't know but I shall wear 
out all my care-takers; they have to do 
so much for me. ' I am poor and needy; ' I 
have had a hard, wearisome night, but am 
more comfortable this morning. I have 
nothing however to complain of. It is all 
right." 

On Sabbath afternoon, First month, six- 
teenth, D. H. of Winthrop, walked three 
miles in order to see him. He remarked to 
some one in the house that Moses Bailey 
was the poor man's friend, and that the poor 
would miss him as much as the rich, and 
that he had no enemies. He said to Moses 
Bailey that many would rejoice if they 
could see him well again, " But, if you do 
not recover," said he, "there is a life be- 
yond this to which you will go and be with 



334 REMINISCENCES OF 

those who have been kind and good to 
every one as you have been." 

- - Bailey expressed great appreciation 
of the good-will that had prompted him to 
walk so far to see him. D. H. assured him 
that he would be willing to walk much 
farther in order to be able, if it were possi- 
to do him any good, and expressed 
much gratitude for the privilege of seeing 
him. Moses Bailey frequently afterward 
spoke of this visit and the comfort he de- 
rived from it. 

That same afternoon H. X. J. called to 
see him, and told him how much the 
Church had been praying for him. He ex- 
pressed much satisfaction at this, and spoke 
of the Lord's goodness to him, expressing 
j;nation to whatever was best ; said he 
would be glad to stay with his dear friends 
longer, if it were best, but if not, he rejoiced 
in the hope of meeting the many loved ones 
M over there," although there seemed to be 
much tribulation to pass through first. 

H. X. J. spoke of those we read of, who 
had "come out of great tribulation, and 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 335 

washed their robes in the blood of the 
Lamb," and who therefore are without spot 
before the throne of God, and also of her 
joy in the undoubted belief that there was a 
white robe and a beautiful mansion prepared 
for him. He expressed his perfect faith and 
trust in salvation through Christ. Before 
taking leave she offered vocal prayer for 
him and his family, asking God to be a hus- 
band to his wife and a father to his child, 
and to make them worthy of such a hus- 
band and father as had blessed them here. 
She thanked God that while the earthly tab- 
ernacle was being taken down so gradually, 
the spiritual indweller was so "strong in the 
Lord," and prayed that he might continue 
to grow stronger unto the end, and then re- 
ceive the answer of "Well done," and an 
abundant entrance into glory. To this he 
responded with a hearty, Amen. 

He was very cheerful during his entire 
sickness. Often, when not in pain, he 
would say something that caused those 
around him to laugh. His wife remarked 
to him one day that he would persist in 



336 REMINISCENCES OF 

tempting people to laugh even if they did 
not wish to do so. He replied, "Yes, I want 
you all to be as happy as possible. I do not 
want any crying around me ; I shall live as 
long as I can, and when the end comes all 
will be well; I shall be happy, and I want 
you to be." 

We remember, one evening, after he was 
confined to the bed with his last sick: 
that his brother and niece calling to see him, 
found him sitting up in bed eating his even- 
ing meal, and remarked that he looked com- 
fortable, and as if doing well, and then said 
something that reminded him of some an- 
ecdote, which he related to them, and fol- 
lowed with a succession of amusing ones 
told in his usual dry, original manner, so 
provocative of hearty laughter that none 
present could refrain from indulging in it. 

On the first day that he was confined to 
his bed, his brother-in-law, F. C. J. of Port- 
land, came to see him, and finding assistance 
needed, remained to help care for him. His 
younger brother-in-law, C. L. J., also came 
from Michigan for the same purpose. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 337 

soon as he heard of his prostration. These 
two dear brothers alternately, faithfully and 
most tenderly watched over him adminis- 
tering to his wants, during a period of 
twelve weeks, till death released them. 
Their untiring efforts to do everything 
possible to alleviate his sufferings were 
gratefully appreciated by him, and will never 
be forgotten by those to whom he was most 
dear. 

In the evening of the twenty-fourth of 
Fourth month his brother Charles called, 
and told him that he was expecting to go to 
New York on the morrow, and would prob- 
ably see some who would inquire after him, 
and asked, "What shall I tell them?" He 
replied, " Tell them ' I am poor and needy, 
and the Lord thinketh upon me.'" Then, 
with emphasis he repeated, "O yes, He 
thinketh upon me ! What should I do if 
He did not!" 

The next day Rev. T. P. Adams called 
to see him and, inquiring of him if he were 
fully resting in Jesus, he replied with much 



338 REMINISCENCES OF 

earnestness, "O yes! He is all my hope. 
I believe I am sure of that. 

"' On Christ the solid rock I stand, 
All other ground is sinking sand.' " 

The minister offered an earnest prayer, 
to which he responded heartily. 

Fourth month, twenty-eighth, his little 
niece, Emma M. P., died. Only a little 
more than a year her sweet presence blessed 
us and closely entwined our hearts with 
love. How soon gone to wear the crown 
of life without the conflict of sin preceding 
it! Precious child ! " Of such is the king- 
dom of heaven." 

On the first day of Fifth month, I. W. H. 
called to see him. The visit was very satis- 
factory and comforting. He offered a very 
earnest prayer, to which Moses Bailey re- 
sponded fervently. Dr. B. F. S., who had 
formerly been a member of his family for 
five years, and to whom he was deeply at- 
tached, also called. He often spoke of 
him during his sickness with much interest. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 339 

All through Fifth month he continued to 
fail in strength, but was wonderfully sup- 
ported by Divine grace, so that he rejoiced 
amid all his sufferings, and continued pa- 
tient, trustful and cheerful. He was very 
thoughtful of his attendants, never exacting, 
and very grateful for every attention. It 
was pleasure rather than labor, to take care 
of him. 

About a week before his death he sat up 
in bed, and signed a document pertaining to 
the interests of the Freedmen's Normal In- 
stitute at Maryville, Tennessee, being a 
member of the committee of New England 
Yearly Meeting in charge of that Institu- 
tion, and greatly interested in it. This was 
the last writing he ever did. 

On the last day of Fifth month Rev. W. 
F. Obear called to see him. He spoke com- 
forting words, and offered a prayer fraught 
with much feeling. This was a very satis- 
factory visit to him and his family. He was 
then very weak, but fully realized all the 
kindness of this sympathizing friend, nor 



340 REMINISCENCES OF 

was he ever unconscious during his sick- 
ness. 

Under date of Sixth month, first, his wife 
wrote in her diary : 

Our darling one seems now to be rapidly failing, 
and we realize that he can be with us but a few 
more days at most. I am not feeling at all well ; 
am nearly exhausted with care, anxiety and watch- 
ing, not having had a comfortable night of rest in 
more than six months. O that I may have the 
physical strength needful so long as my precious 
husband requires my car§ ! I want to go with my 
darling down to the brink of the river, and when I 
can go no farther I will give him up into the care 
of his Saviour, who, I doubt not, will be ready and 
waiting to receive him. 

On the third day of Sixth month, he 
seemed to be sinking most of the day. His 
wife had a very sudden attack in the fore- 
noon of nervous exhaustion, and was threat- 
ened with apoplexy, but relief was obtained, 
and she kept up until twelve o'clock on the 
fifth, when she was obliged to take her bed, 
and never saw her dying husband again. 




A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 341 

He passed away on third day morning, the 
sixth of Sixth month, 1882, at about ten 
o'clock. 

During his last hours he was mostly re- 
leased from suffering, and lay calm and 
peaceful while he breathed his life away. 
He realized that his wife was sick, and fre- 
quently and anxiously inquired of his at- 
tendants whether she were better. He said 
but little, as it was difficult for him to speak. 
His son and many dear relatives were pres- 
ent. His eyes turned upon each with an 
earnest expression of love and a sweet look 
as if to say, farewell ! He frequently looked 
about as if hoping to see the one who could 
not come, and whose name was last upon his 
lips, — his wife. Finally his eyes became 
fixed, but he still breathed, shorter and 
shorter, for some minutes, while solemn 
stillness prevailed, broken only by the fre- 
quent stifled sobs of his dear child and 
weeping friends. Then he ceased to breathe, 
and sweetly passed into the arms of Jesus, 
who was no doubt waiting to receive his 
released spirit with joy, and guide it to the 
22 



342 REMINISCENCES OF 

mansion prepared for him. " Where I am 
there ye may be also." 

"Jesus can make a dying bed 

Feel soft as downy pillows are, 
While on His breast I lean my head, 
And breathe my life out sweetly there." 

This was indeed the experience of our 
dear one, as he came to the last conflict, and 
his departure was triumphant. 

The weather was perfect, the sun shone 
bright and clear all day, not a cloud was 
seen, the birds warbled their sweetest songs 
about the windows of his room, all the time 
he w r as passing away. After his eyes were 
closed in death, a sweet expression of peace 
remained on the countenance which looked 
perfectly natural and as if asleep, — sweetly 
resting from suffering. 

On the two following days many friends 
and relatives from distant places came to 
pay the last tribute of respect to one they 
had loved and esteemed. 

Below, we give an extract from a letter 
written by M. W. J., a niece of Moses 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 343 

Bailey, to a missionary in India who was a 
dear friend of his. 

Winthrop, Me., June 7th, 1882. 
My Dear Brother, J. T. Elwell : 

I have to announce to you the death, yes- 
terday, of our beloved uncle, Moses Bailey. He 
was conscious until the last. In the morning he 
took a little nourishment, then sank rapidly until 
fifteen minutes past ten o'clock a.m., when he 
passed into eternal life. Aunt H. was sick in the 
next room, and unable to go to him. She has 
staid in his room so constantly the last three 
months, that it has affected her nervous system. 
She has had several slight nervous shocks, and the 
doctor says she must not attend the funeral, which 
is to be at Friends' Meeting House at two o'clock 
Saturday. C. has gone to Portland to attend to 
affairs. All that is possible will be done to show 
honor and respect to one who has done so much, 
through a useful life, to win the love and respect of 
all, wherever he was known. 

It would require a lifetime acquaintance with 
him to learn the depth of his goodness and the pu- 
rity of his character. The world has lost a good 
man ; the Mission work a true friend; the Home 
work a faithful helper; the town a useful citizen; 
Baileyville a genial, hospitable neighbor; the poor 



844 REMINISCENCES OF 

a generous patron; his employes a just and hon- 
est master ; and his relatives, — well, we have lost 
Uncle Moses. 

A large company of people, friends, rela- 
tives and neighbors, assembled at the funeral 
on the afternoon of the tenth of Sixth 
month, at two o'clock. This was also a 
lovely day, and all nature seemed rejoicing 
over the birth into life eternal of a ransomed 
and glorified soul. 

A large company of relatives and friends 
met at his late residence, and took leave of 
the remains, after which they were taken by 
the bearers, his esteemed friends, J. M. Ben- 
jamin, C. A. Wing, H. Woodward and S. T. 
Floyd, to the Friends' Meeting House near 
by, and placed amidst many tributes of 
beautiful flowers, sweet and lovely emblems 
of that spirit-life just blooming in Paradise, 
while the earthly life was shedding its in- 
fluence and fragrance all around. 

The remains were clothed as when living, 
and encased in a plain casket covered with 
black cloth. On a silver plate was engraved 
his name, with the dates of his birth and 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 345 

decease. Henry Winslow, a beloved neigh- 
bor and friend, took very efficient charge of 
the funeral. As Moses Bailey's wife was 
too ill to attend the services, her friend, O. 
M. T., kindly took notes of them for her to 
read when sufficiently recovered to do so. 
These memoranda we give below. 

When the casket was in its place, the mourners 
seated, and the entire congregation brought into 
quiet, Dr. Young of Ohio knelt and said: "O 
Lord, who is sufficient for these things ? We are 
deeply impressed with a sense of our mortality. 
As the grass withereth and the flower fadeth, so 
we pass away. But we thank Thee that Thou 
hast assured us that Thy word abideth forever." 
He then commended the mourning friends to the 
loving care of Him who is ready to comfort His 
afflicted children, and implored divine assistance 
in the services of the meeting. 

This prayer was followed by remarks from H. 
D. Collins, of Rhode Island, commencing with 
these words : " For the things which are seen are 
temporal; but the things which arc not seen arc 
eternal. ,, She said we could not contemplate 
much of the seen today, and she exhorted us to 
turn our attention to the unseen and eternal. The 



346 REMINISCENCES OF 

most of what we can learn in this life by study, 
is from the unseen. She charged us to follow 
the shining path that Christ has made for us, and 
not attempt to climb a ladder formed by man, 
which would surely end in darkness ; that it be- 
comes us to study the chart of our journey, so that 
we may learn the lesson so rarely acquired, the 
lesson which our dear brother had learned — how 
to live wisely and well. She spoke of our knowing 
each other in heaven ; believed we would recog- 
nize our friends; but she had queried today, — did 
our brother know himself when he awoke in glory, 
never more to suffer wearing pain or weakness, no 
aching head, no care or sorrow, but with fulness 
of joy evermore ? 

Her address was very interesting and spiritual, 
full of the consolations of hope in Christ. Very 
soon after she took her seat, Dr. Young arose with 
the Bible in his hand, and read in an impressive 
manner the text : " For we know that if our 
earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we 
have a building of God, a house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens." 

He dwelt much upon the comfort of knowing, 
and very much on the importance of it. He ex- 
horted us with affectionate earnestness not to re- 
main satisfied with a nominal faith, but to seek, 
yes, even wrestle in prayer until we obtained, an 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 347 

assured faith, a living experience. He related an 
incident respecting a friend of his, who one day 
last autumn retired to be alone with God, saying 
" Now there is to be a conflict, but in the end vic- 
tory, for I shall stay here and pray until assurance 
comes." The speaker knew not how long he re- 
mained there, but God spoke peace to him, and 
this peace had dwelt in his soul ever since. The 
light continues, and he is now laboring in the 
blessed cause. 

Addressing the mourners, Dr. Young said that 
he did not wish to harrow their feelings, but rather 
to comfort them with the hope of meeting their 
loved one in heaven, and to stir them up to labor 
with increased zeal in the cause which our brother 
loved. He had known him, he said, fourteen 
years, and though their homes were far apart, they 
had many times met and mingled socially and re- 
ligiously. He would never forget the words of 
encouragement spoken at one time when they were 
together. On retiring for the night Moses Bailey 
said to him in his peculiar, quaint manner, " If 
thee should be called to preach to-morrow, be sure 
to give the gospel trumpet a clear ring, and leave 
the result with Him who will give thee strength to 
labor," 

He was a man of few words, but a man of 
prayer, and one who labored much in the cause by 



348 REMINISCENCES OF 

giving help and encouragement to those who min- 
istered the Word. He alluded to the fine appre- 
ciation of life which Moses Bailey had. During 
his long illness the remark had been frequently 
made : " With what tenacity he clings to life." 
The speaker understood it to be a just apprecia- 
tion of a life on earth, not that he feared death, or 
failed in trust that it would be well with him, but 
he valued life as a gift of God, and he desired 
others with himself to make the best of it. He 
said : " Do not weep for me for all is well ; I would 
be glad to live longer with my family, if it were 
God's will, otherwise it is all right." 

The preacher then went on to show us the vic- 
tory that faith in Christ gives one over death. In 
beautifully impressive words he described the res- 
urrection of Him who said, " I am He that liveth, 
and was dead ; and behold, I am alive forever- 
more." He spoke of the seal upon the stone at 
the entrance of the sepulchre, of the penalty of 
death to any who should break it, of the guard ap- 
pointed by the Roman governor, and of the mighty 
angel sent from the Royal Palace of the King 
Eternal, who broke the seal and rolled away the 
stone. He said that the victory then achieved 
would last forever, and no seal would remain un- 
broken on a grave ; death, the last enemy, shall be 
destroyed. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 349 

Dr. Young closed with an earnest appeal to the 
entire congregation. During its utterance he said : 
" Young men, do you look on this life as a dissolv- 
ing one ? When we are young it seems to us that 
a year is very long. Later in life, it appears only 
just begun when we hear the chimes of the 
Christmas bells." 

Before sitting down, the speaker invited any 
who wished, to testify, whether Friends, or those 
of other religious societies. Rev. W. F. Obear 
then responded to the invitation. He approved 
of what had been said, especially noting what Dr. 
Young had remarked about knowing that we have 
a building of God. Said that he believed we ought 
not to rest satisfied short of an assurance. He be- 
lieved there was a Canton, a Paris, and other places 
of which he had heard, but had never seen. He 
knew there was a heaven, because Jesus had said, 
" If it were not so I would have told you." He 
spoke of the time when he stood by his father's 
coffin, and so earnestly desired to pierce the veil 
that hides the future from our view. Then these 
words were burned into his soul, " Because I live 
ye shall live also." "Those precious words have 
never been effaced," he added, "but have remained 
with me ever since." He said that when he came 
here, and saw the beautiful flowers with the word 
Victory gleaming in their midst, his heart rejoiced 



350 REMINISCENCES OF 

in the victory over the grave, to be had in Christ. 
He remembered the death-bed of a Christian, who 
in the triumphs of faith said, "This is the vic- 
tory." He then referred to the season of prayer 
which he had with the brother whose remains lay 
before us ; said he enjoyed the season much, feel- 
ing a sweet assurance of his firm trust in the 
Saviour. He spoke of the testimony of love and 
respect which every one was ready to accord, when 
speaking of Moses Bailey. 

H. N. Jones then followed with prayer that our 
Meeting might be benefited by the example of 
the earthly life just ended, and also by the lesson 
for us in his death. She commended the mourn- 
ers, especially his wife and the dear boy, to the 
loving care and sympathy of our Heavenly Father, 
and prayed that we might all seek to know that 
when our earthly house of this tabernacle is dis- 
solved, we also have a building of God, eternal in 
the heavens. 

Rev. A. R. Crane then offered a few well chosen 
words. After commending what had been already 
said, he went on to speak of his quiet, unosten- 
tatious life, and of the wonderful influence of a 
noble character. We often, he said, hear of 
eloquent words, but he thought a godly life 
was far more eloquent. And if the little deed 
of the woman who cast her mite into the treasury 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 851 

was so commended by our Lord, and was considered 
of so much importance as to be spoken of wherever 
the gospel was preached, would not a whole life of 
usefulness have a still greater influence? 

If the testimony of all whom he had heard was 
to be relied on, if what we had heard today was 
true, if his own impressions during his brief, but 
very pleasant acquaintance with our dear departed 
brother were correct, not only his family, and the 
residents of this beautiful little village had met 
with a great loss, and one not easily to be repaired, 
but also the entire town and community. 

When the speaker had concluded, Sarah W. 
Goddard knelt in prayer, pouring out her soul in 
a strain of praise to God for His presence with us 
so sensibly realized, for the blessed teachings we 
had received, for the precious lessons afforded in 
the life and death of our dear brother, and im- 
plored Him as our great teacher to so impress 
these lessons upon our hearts that we might be 
greatly benefited thereby. She spoke as one who 
had already proved God to be the Father of the 
fatherless, very earnestly beseeching Him to re- 
member the dear boy left without a father to guide 
and protect him. She pleaded also for the be- 
reaved wife, that she might be comforted, not only 
now, but also during the many lonely hours which ' 
must follow. 



352 REMINISCENCES OF 

Dr. Young closed the meeting with a few words : 
" Our brother is gone ; he cannot come to us, but 
we shall go to him." He bade us emulate his vir- 
tues, to follow him as he had followed the Lord 
Jesus. Some might forget this occasion, but he 
earnestly entreated all to seek to know that when 
their earthly house was dissolved they would have 
a home in heaven. He exhorted believers to con- 
tinue " steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in 
the work of the Lord, knowing that their labor is 
not in vain in Him." 

After the funeral services closed, a long 
procession followed the remains to Lake 
View Cemetery, in Baileyville, Winthrop, 
where the casket was placed in a cedar-plank 
box and encased in lead, the cover being 
soldered down tightly to make it impervious 
to water. The casket was then placed in 
a grave by the side of his deceased wife. 
" They were lovely and pleasant in their 
lives, and in their death they were not 
divided/' 

A wreath of everlasting flowers was 
placed upon the grave, in compliance with 
the request of the donors, the employees at 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 353 

his store in Portland. A family monument 
of plain polished granite, with a die of 
Scotch granite, has been placed at the head 
of the grave. His name and age are en- 
graved on the die, and these lines: 

"The conflict past, the victory won ; 
Earth's voyage ended, heaven's begun." 

Several papers, religious and secular, 
throughout the State and elsewhere, con- 
tained obituaries. We extract the following 
from the " Friends' Review," published in 
Philadelphia. 

Passed away, Sixth month sixth, in full assurance 
of a blissful immortality, our beloved friend and 
brother in Christ, Moses Bailey, a member of 
Winthrop Monthly Meeting of Friends. 

The deceased has, through a life filled up with 
the cares of a large business, well exemplified the 
character of a true Christian gentleman. Genial 
in his manners, generous in his impulses, honest in 
all the relations of life, intelligent in mind and 
cultured in intellect and heart, all classes mourn 
his loss as a friend beloved. 



354 REMINISCENCES OF 

Having for a number of years served as Clerk 
to both Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, and be- 
ing at the time of his death correspondent of the 
Yearly Meeting, filling also for fifteen years the 
station of Elder, we feel that a pillar, strong and 
upright, has been removed from the Church mili- 
tant to the Church triumphant. 

The last few months of his life were spent in 
great suffering, yet he was always patient, always 
hopeful, making the most of his time, gathering up 
each falling sand to build a monument of kindly 
deeds more enduring than marble, more glorious 
than any earthly fame. Of a retiring disposition, 
he shrank from much publicity, but those who 
knew him best could appreciate the sincerity of 
his dying testimony : 

" On Christ the solid rock I stand, 
All other ground is sinking sand ; " 

and we are well assured that his unfaltering trust 
in God was the source of his benevolence and 
active piety. 

The " Zion's Watchman," published at 
Albany, New York, after giving some ac- 
count of his business career, death, funeral, 
etc., says: 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 355 

He was a member of the Society of Friends, in 
which he was greatly loved and esteemed. One of 
the characteristics of his life was a constant cheer- 
fulness. His hopeful smile often dispelled the 
clouds from the minds of those with whom he 
came in contact, and he had a special word of en- 
couragement for* the faint hearted. 

For a number of years he had poor health, and 
during the last six months was confined to his 
home. But while his body was gradually wasting 
away, his soul was gloriously ripening for eternity. 
His victorious faith pierced the clouds and tri- 
umphed even when suffering the severest physical 
pain. And when it came to the last, he passed 
through the vale of shadows without shrinking, for 
the rod and staff of God's sustaining grace were 
not wanting; leaning trustingly on the arm which 
had sustained him through trials and tribulations, 
he fully realized that " Jesus can make a dying- 
bed feel soft as downy pillows are." 

The funeral took place at the Friends' Meeting 
House in Baileyville, and was largely attended. 
Many unable to find seats stood without. The 
floral decorations were very beautiful. A Mal- 
tese cross of rose-buds and other flowers hung 
above the casket ; a large Roman cross of rare 
blossoms, presented by his business partner and 
wife, lay upon the lid. At the front, upon an up- 



356 REMINISCENCES OF 

right pedestal of black drapery, stood a broken 
column composed of white flowers, and at the 
head of the casket there was an elegantly arranged 
pillow, in the center of which, on a white ground, 
was the one word " Victory " in purple, expressive 
of his life as well as of his death. A beautiful 
cross presented by Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Thurston 
of Portland, hung upon his draped portrait at the 
house, and a bouquet at each side. 

At the close of the services the bearers carried 
his remains to the hearse, which was drawn by two 
beautiful black horses. They were followed to 
their last resting place by thirty carriages, contain- 
ing his mourning friends. 

A useful life has closed. We know he has filled 
his mission, and will receive the reward of the 
righteous. Praise be to God who has been to our 
brother a shield, and who in death gave him the 
victory. He was personally known to the editor, 
and in this hour of sorrow we extend our sym- 
pathy to the family and many friends of the de- 
parted. He has passed through the valley, and we 
fully believe stands glorified beside his Redeemer 
in the realms of perfect light. 



A copy of the following preamble and 
resolutions was received by the bereaved 






A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 357 

family of the deceased, and was also pub- 
lished in several papers : 

At a meeting of the directors of the National 
Bank of Winthrop, held at their banking room, on 
Tuesday, the twentieth day of June, 1882, the fol- 
lowing preamble and resolutions were unanimously 
adopted : 

Whereas, It has pleased the Almighty Dis- 
penser of events to remove from us by the hand 
of death, Moses Bailey, long our associate as a Di- 
rector of this Bank, therefore, 

Resolved, That in his death we have lost a 
trusted and wise counselor and advisor, a true and 
reliable friend and neighbor, and it has left a void 
in our hearts and at our Board that can never be 
filled, but in which his memory will ever be 
cherished. 

Resolved, That we tender to his grief-stricken 
family our warmest sympathies in their great be- 
reavement, and trust that time, the great healer, 
and He who " tempers the wind to the shorn 
lamb," will, in due season, mitigate their sorrows 
and soothe their griefs. 

Resolved, That in the life and character of our 

late deceased associate, we mark those sterling 

traits that mark the perfect man, and we commend 

especially to the rising generation the study of 

23 



358 REMINISCENCES OF 

his life, his diligence in business, his unswerving 
integrity, unassuming deportment and cordial man- 
ner, as an example that can be followed with 
safety and profit. 

Resolved, That the Cashier be directed to en- 
ter the foregoing Preamble and Resolutions at 
length upon the Records of our Board, and to for- 
ward a copy to the family of the deceased, and 
also to the press for publication. A true copy, 
attest, 

J. M. Benjamin, Cashier. 

One who was a member of Moses Bailey's 
household thirteen months, thus writes : 

From the first the beauty and excellency of his 
character impressed itself upon us. He possessed, 
in pre-eminent degree, that rare and beautiful 
grace of silence so characteristic of him. None 
knew better than he when and how to speak, and 
so richly freighted with wisdom were the words of 
his counsel that we who listened felt their weight, 
and were alike entertained and benefited. But it 
was not until more intimately acquainted with his 
daily life that the true nobility of our departed 
friend's soul became fully manifest. Day by day 
the same unruffled serenity of countenance be- 
tokened the mind at ease. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 359 

Through the whole of that long, ceaseless strug- 
gle with fell disease, in which he was destined to 
become the vanquished, he betrayed no shadow of 
impatience. With ready smile and uncomplaining 
cheerfulness he was wont to greet us all, and 
though evidently desiring longer life, the genuine- 
ness of his trust declared itself in the calm resig- 
nation with which he was wont to look upon ap- 
proaching dissolution. Grateful for slight favors, 
ever appreciative of the most trifling service, and 
mindful of the comfort and happiness of all about 
him, his sick chamber became the Bethel of the 
house, and seemed very near the gate of heaven. 
Forth from that couch of pain extended an influ- 
ence that touched even the humblest members of 
that household, and beyond its confines, out into 
the busy world around, was felt, rather than heard, 
its quiet voice remonstrating with the wayward, 
protesting with the worldly and vicious against the 
evil wrought by ungodliness and greed. It was as 
if the blameless life and strict integrity, which had 
made it such a success in a worldly point of view, 
became in some sort glorified by the childlike sub- 
mission with which he yielded back the results of 
his life-stewardship into the hand that gave it, as 
one who should say, " Speak, Lord, for thy ser- 
vant heareth," "Who saveth my soul from death," 
"Who even now givcth me the victory," "What 



360 REMINISCENCES OF 

am I that I should say, my will, not Thine, be 
done?" "Though Thou slay me, yet will I trust 
in Thee, and my voice shall be heard continually 
praising Thee, because Thou hast redeemed my 
soul from death and my spirit from destruction." 
With the sweet humility, so characteristic of the 
man, there was ever the holding up of the cross, 
the holding back of self. His piety was of that 
genuine sort that, like a lamp hidden in a crystal 
vase, illuminates the whole being. It showed it- 
self in every trifling act, and seemingly in every 
even unimportant work. We all knew he was a 
man of God, not because he said so, but because 
he lived so. And O, say not that the good can 
ever die ! Like a flame of fire toward its Creator, 
a beautiful life goes on forever, aspiring from earth 
to heaven. 

He has gone on before us, but in the presence 
of his example and the restraining force of his 
holy life, he is practically with us still. And while 
in our heart of hearts we mourn our irreparable 
loss, yet in the rich legacy of good deeds, invinci- 
ble courage and martyr-like endurance of suffering 
until he was called from the anguish below to the 
bliss up yonder, we feel that his bereaved family 
have a richer source of consolation than can be 
found save in the contemplation of the promise 
which comforts even the widow, and extends its 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 361 

protecting benefits to the orphan, for He declares, 
" I will be a husband to the widow and a father to 
the fatherless." 

That our dear friend and her noble boy may be 
made partakers by a lively faith in the benefits of 
the same, is the earnest desire of the writer of 
these lines which are an imperfect tribute to the 
worth of one of whom it may truthfully be said, 

" None knew him but to love ; 
None named him but to praise." 

M. G. H. 

From among the scores of letters of sym- 
pathy written by dear absent friends to the 
bereaved wife, the following, by consent of 
their authors, have been selected as repre- 
sentative of the whole. Words can but fail 
to express how much these, and those not 
placed here, comforted the stricken family, 
and were appreciated. 

Cincinnati, O., Seventh month, 17th, 18S2. 
My Dear Friend : 

Thy memorial card this morning prompts me 
to offer a word of sympathy. Without knowing 
that thy husband was worse, I found myself fre- 
quently thinking of you I know that words 



362 REMINISCENCES OF 

are but little worth under such circumstances, but 
remembering your kindness to me, and our part- 
ing, which I recall distinctly, I lift my heart in 
prayer for thee, that the comfort which the Lord 
alone can give may be thine. 

To lose a companion must be a sore trial, but to 
part with such an one must be a test of one's faith 
not often encountered. There is consolation, how- 
ever, and I know that for years thou hast known 
where to seek for it. That our Heavenly Father, 
in His infinite mercy, may draw very near to thee 
in thy great affliction, is the prayer of 

Thy friend, 

W. F. M. 

Southland College, Helena, Ark., 

Seventh month, 31st, 1882. 
My Dear Afflicted Friend, H. J. B. : 

It was very kind and thoughtful indeed for 
thee to send me that card "memoriam" of thy 
dear husband's departure. Its words were very 
like him, and though I had several times expected 
to hear of his dissolution on account of his fre- 
quent ill turns, it was, nevertheless, very solemn, 
and thrilled me intensely. The card, and also the 
notice in the " Christian Worker," I read in our 
Monthly Meeting, and explained who and what a 
friend he had been to Southland, and to other 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 363 

Christian and educational work amongst the freed- 
men since the war, showing that he had a part in 
"Pumphrey Hall" here, and an interest in other 
parts of our Christian work, and again, that he, 
with all his temporal blessings, could only trust in 
Jesus. 

" On Christ the solid rock I stand/' 

they often sing here, and none among us so poor 
but Jesus thinks of us, and is "mighty to save." 

One by one our kind helpers and contributors 
to Southland College are passing away. E. P. 
Gurney, W. F. Mott, Moses Bailey and others, 
have gone since my last report. Our year closes 
today, and as I begin to cast about for material for 
our Annual Report, I find the year has been 
crowned with His mercy and goodness, whose we 
are and whose is the work in which we are en- 
gaged Praise the Lord. 

I am, with feelings of the highest esteem and 
sympathy, 

Very truly thy friend, 

A. C. 

Kent's Hill, Me., June 12th, 1882. 
Mrs. Bailey, Dear Afflicted Friend : 

I very much regret my inability to be with 
you on that sad day, the saddest of all your life, 
when the dear one was buried from your sight. I 



364 REMINISCENCES OF 

know not that I could have prevented one tear 
from falling, or hushed one sigh, but my presence 
would have shown my sympathy for you and your 
dear sorrowing family, and the true sympathy and 
great respect I entertained for your husband. 
And now what can I say in the few lines my ill- 
ness and weakness will permit me to write ? 
Would that I could write what my heart feels for 
you and yours, but the Heavenly Friend never 
wearies in soothing the afflicted. I am so glad, so 
comforted, that you know how to lean on Him, 
how to submit your poor crushed heart to His ten- 
der healing. Of all human consolation this seems 
to me the greatest, that in a most important sense 
your dear husband is still with you by sweet and 
never ceasing remembrance, his picture is in your 
heart, more perfect and lasting than that from 
painter's brush or sunbeams. More comforting 
than those is the fact that he lives in the character 
he has builded. In this you should rejoice and be 
proud. No man in Maine had a nobler, more 
manly and perfect moral character than he, and 
then he was a true, humble Christian. 

God bless you and all of the loved mourning 
ones, is the prayer of my heart. Soon mourning 
shall be turned into gladness, for though he will 
not come to you, you will go to him. 
Affectionately, 

H. P. TORSEY. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 365 

Marion, N. C, Sixth month, 27th, 1882. 
My Very Dear Friend, H. B. : 

A letter from home received this morning 
brought the sad news of thy dear husband's death. 
For days my thoughts have been with thee, anx- 
ious, yet almost afraid to hear from thee. Yet why 
should we dread to hear that those we love have 
entered into rest ? Would that I could express 
my deep sympathy for thee, my dear friend, but 
human words sound cold when the heart is 
stricken with grief. I rejoice that there is One 
who understands thy every grief, and is able to 
comfort thee at all times, and that thou in days of 
joy, learned to go to Him with all thy little cares, 
and has found Him to be a burden bearer. I am 
glad there is so much, even in thy affliction, to 
comfort thee. 

While we mourn his loss to the Church, to his 
friends and his family, we know that our loss is his 
gain. I am glad it was my privilege to know him. 
. . . . " The eternal God is thy refuge and under- 
neath are the Everlasting Arms." 

In much love and sympathy, 

F. C. 

The following is from one who was a 
member of Moses Bailey's household for 
more than a year: 



366 REMINISCENCES OF 

Manchester, July 25th, 1882. 
Dear Afflicted Friend : 

.... We know you have parted from a loved 
and loving companion, and must deeply deplore his 
loss. We send our heart-felt sympathy to you and 
Melvie in your affliction. We esteemed your hus- 
band highly as a friend and an upright man, 
always courteous and a real Christian. We feel he 
is with the blest now, and free from all earthly 
pains, which, though borne with great Christian 
patience, must have been severe. We know also 
you have Christ for your comforter, and many 
friends to sympathize with you and Melvie. Poor 
boy ! He has met with a great loss. We hope 
his mother may be spared to him many years, and 
that God will bless him with His Divine presence. 
The memorial card we highly prize, and the poem 

is very nice. 

Truly your friend, 

H. F. F. 

Washington, D. C, 

Seventh month, 26th, 1882. 
My Dear Friend : 

How my sympathy has gone out toward thee 
in the time of this sore affliction. I know not 
what to say to thee, so fully aware am I that lan- 
guage is powerless to express our deep feelings, 
and comfort thee thereby. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 367 

How very lonely thy beautiful and pleasant 
home must be now that he is laid away, to come in 
and go out no more. He was permitted to remain 
much longer than I anticipated when I last saw 

him He had so kind a nature it could not 

but win love and highest respect from all who be- 
came associated with him. And now we love to 
remember him as freed from all suffering, sweetly 
at rest, and could not wish, would not ask, to have 
him back. Knowing so well where strength and 
comfort and real calm comes from, thou will be 
comforted in the hour of loneliness and weeping. 

I Ve looked at thee in thy pleasant home, thee, 
with thy only child, and could in a degree realize 
thy situation 

Dear friend, accept my kindest sympathy. Love 
to thy little Melvie if he should remember me. I 
presume he has grown to be a large boy, and is 
much company for thee. 

Most lovingly thy friend, 

P. T. U. 

Richmond Hill, N. Y., 

Seventh month, 14th, 1882. 
My Dear Friend, H. J. B. : 

Thy card of memorial reminds me afresh of 
the loss that the Church, as well as thyself and 
Melvie, has sustained in the removal by death oi 



368 REMINISCENCES OF 

thy dear husband and ojur valued friend. But yet, 
while we sympathize with thee and know how 
heavily the burdens of life must fall around thee, 
now that his strong support and sheltering care is 
no longer thine, we feel that our Heavenly Father 
has dealt very mercifully with thee, even in this 
dispensation. 

To have known and calmly anticipated together 
so long as you did, the approaching change, so 
that it did not break upon you like a sudden blow, 
must have taken much of the sting of the separa- 
tion away. And, much more truly comforting than 
that even, must be the firm assurance, which thou 
hast to rest upon, that it is well with him, that as a 
forgiven and redeemed child of God he has gone 
to be forever with the Lord, and to await thee in 
heaven. And yet, with all the consolations in 
Christ that I know are thine, I can understand 
what thy sense of loneliness must be, how blank 
life seems, how cold and uninteresting the world 
seems around thee. May the Lord guide and keep 
thee in all thy ways, enabling thee to bring up 
thy son to be a worthy Christian man, and in all 
that thy hand finds to do, may He enable thee to 
choose always His service, His honor, His cause. 
My husband unites with me in a message of Chris- 
tian love and sympathy. 

Very truly thy friend, 

M. S. K. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 369 

One who spent a summer with Moses 
Bailey at his home, writes thus: 

Steamship " City of Rome," off 

Liverpool, Eng., Sept. 28th, 1288. 
My Dear Friend and Sister in Christ : 

In the course of my travels I have received 
from my wife the tidings of your dear husband's 
departure to the better land, also the memorial 
lines written by an aged neighbor. My move- 
ments were so uncertain that I could not write you 
immediately, but embrace this first opportunity, 
and hope to mail it on my arrival in New York 
city. Although the tidings finally came unexpect- 
edly, yet they were in a sense looked for, indeed, 
before I left India I thought that any mail might 

bring the information 

Your dear husband always impressed me that he 
was meek, and he has been my ideal of a meek 
man ever since I knew him. I have often thought 
of him as bearing some resemblance to his great 
namesake, the leader of Israel's host. As I think 
of how much a man must fight himself to become 
meek, and of the blessings pronounced on the 
meek in the Old and New Testaments, I rejoice to 
think of the great attainments of your dear one. 
He was not only dear to you and yours, and his 
immediate family and friends, but to many others 
in the various walks of life, the wise and good in 



370 REMINISCENCES OF 

Church and in State, and also to the many in his 
employ. 

Useful as his life was to his day and generation, 
which he served so well, being faithful in all his 
house, I rejoice to think of the power of his influ- 
ence also on the young and rising generation, so 
that while his lips are closed he yet speaketh, yea, 
and will speak. The youngest who knew him will 
tell of him in their old age to the youth of those 
days. Thus " the memory of the just is blessed." 

You, my dear sister, will doubtless realize more 
and more a sense of loneliness, nevertheless it is 
your privilege to regard the loved one as only gone 
before, and waiting for you; so " Heaven is nearer 
and Christ is dearer/' for Jesus has prepared and 
called, and has manifested His loving kindness in 
all Christian affairs. Then "look unto Jesus"; 
think of your husband as with Him, and that 
soon you will go there and be re-united. Happy 
anticipation ! 

Yet in a worldly sense you will feel increased 
care and responsibility, perhaps perplexity. Cast 
all upon Him for He careth for you. "Thy Maker 
is thy husband." 

Sister dear, this which the world calls affliction 
you may, through faith, hope and love, transmute 
to " steps unto heaven." 

Yours in Christian sympathy, 

J. T. E. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 371 

Greene Corner, Me., June 28th, 1882. 
Dear Cousin H.: 

.... We realize that in the death of your 
husband you have sustained a great, an irreparable 
loss, and we all want to extend to you our love and 
sympathy. I know words of human sympathy, 
much as we value them, cannot heal the bleeding 
heart, but it does afford some comfort to know 
that others feel our sorrows and mourn with us ; 
but the comfort is infinitely greater when we think 
that He who wept at the grave of Lazarus re- 
mains the same loving, sympathizing Friend, and 
that He weeps with us now at the grave of our 
loved ones, and so tenderly yearns to sustain us in 
our great sorrows. I trust you are enabled to look 
up, through your grief and tears, and see " Jesus 
only," and so rest in His love and perfect will. 
He loves you now as never before, for He is 
always nearest us when we need Him most. That 
you may be sweetly sustained by Him, moment by 

moment, is our prayer My love to your 

household ! Am glad the dear Lord gave you 
such loving hearts and hands in your time of need 
and sorrow. Poor Melvie will miss his father. 
God bless him with you all ! 

Sincerely, 

Your cousin, 

A. 1\ D. 



372 REMINISCENCES OF 

Newburyport, Sixth month, 22d, 1882. 
My Dear Friend, H. J. B. : 

When the intelligence reached us of thy dear 
husband's decease, we were much occupied with 
several guests at our house, and various other en- 
gagements, so that this is my first opportunity to 
assure thee that we have, by no means, been un- 
mindful of thee in this season of affliction. Al- 
though thy dear husband's health has been declin- 
ing, and he has often seemed as if standing in the 
" Border Land," yet he had so often rallied from 
seasons of great prostration that we had hoped his 
valuable life might be still farther prolonged, and 
were hardly prepared for the tidings that he had 
passed away. 

While we feel a precious evidence that to him 
the change is unspeakably happy, so that for him 
we cannot mourn, since he is realizing the fruition 
of his most glorious hopes, yet we feel none the less 
the void which his departure leaves, and we volun- 
tarily ask: "Where are the warm hearts and will- 
ing hands to take the places of such as he?" We 
should indeed be weighed down under a sense of 
sadness and discouragement, but for our firm faith 
that our all-wise and all-seeing Father, who know- 
eth His work, will bring others into the field to 
supply the places of his faithful servants whom He 
has released from their labors. Leaning upon 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 373 

Him, what a precious thought it is that, even in 
times of grief and desolation, He will cause His 
light to break forth, and His grace will be always 
found sufficient to comfort and sustain ! 

Then let us place the anchor 

Of our confidence and trust, 
In our tender Heavenly Father, 

The merciful and just. 

Whose will we may not question, 
Nor His hidden meanings tell, 

Yet rest in the assurance 

That "He doeth all things well." 

My husband joins me in a message of love and 
tender sympathy, and in the sweet trust that He 
who is better than any earthly comforter, is close 
beside thee. I remain, 

Affectionately thy friend, 

G. W. C. 

Lynn, Mass., Sixth month, 9th, 1882. 
My Dear Friend, H. J. B. : 

My sympathy for thee today must find expres- 
sion by sending thee a few words. It is now more 
than twenty-five years since I was a member of 
Moses Bailey's family, and all the while I have 
treasured respect and love for his kindly considera- 
tion and thoughtfulness. Within a few years, by 
24 



374 REMINISCENCES OF 

knowing thee, I have renewed my friendship for 
you both. Today I would most gladly comfort 
thee, for I know that next to the comfort where- 
with we are comforted of God, is the sympathy of 
our friends. How true it is that thou mourns not 
as those without hope. I think today, too, of the 
dear son. God bless him, and sanctify this early 
bereavement to his best interests ! May he deter- 
mine even now to follow in his father's steps, be as 
he was, honest, just and true. His legacy in that 
direction is indeed a valuable one. I know your 
child is today a wonderful consolation and support 
to thee. How few, how very few, are the years of 
childlike dependence ! How soon our children be- 
come our dependence, our prop and protection ! 
How soon do we take them into our confidence ! 
How soon do we rest our heavy cares on their 
young shoulders ! 

" In seasons of grief 't is equally true, 
By dividing our sorrows we lessen them too." 

So the dear children are a constant joy in our 
households. As the tame, unvarying, constant 
lights drop out one after another, the brilliant, glow- 
ing, youthful lights, so radiant and hopeful, beam 
around us, and again we have an atmosphere so 
exhilarating that we take up the ways of life, and 
have courage to go on and prosecute life's duties 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. • 375 

with much confidence that " God doeth all things 
well. ,, 

Thus would I throw into thy hands a sense of 
tangible courage, help just now, when I am sure 
thy hands hang heavily down, although thy confi- 
dence is strong toward God. May the consola- 
tions of His unfailing love be now and ever thine ! 
Lovingly thy friend, 

A. F. H. 

Shawangunk, N. Y., June 18th, 1882. 
My Dear H. : 

The sad news of your illness, coupled with 
the intelligence that one of the greatest bereave- 
ments that can befall a fond wife or devoted 
mother, has at last become your own sorrowful ex- 
perience, reached me some time since. It recalled 
to me the time when my own mother became a 
widow, and, later on, the darker hour that made 

me an orphan Could I have extracted from 

that gloomy period one ray of comfort for your 
stricken heart that you did not already possess, 
gladly would I have borrowed wings and have 
flown to you with the welcome message. But, 
alas, we are denied such power ! 

In your bereavement I too feel that I have lost 
a personal friend, but that around the throne of 
God another "radiant spirit stands." Surely " the 



376 • REMINISCENCES OF 

deeds of the just smell sweet and blossom in the 
dust." I shall never forget the placid countenance 
indicative of the abiding peace within, nor the 
kindly, gentle spirit that exercised such powerful 
influence for good upon all who came within its 
sphere. His pure life and spotless character are 
precious heirlooms- for the dear boy that God in 
His love has given to be to you now, in his father's 
stead, a comfort and daily joy. 

I trust that, as time goes on, resignation to the 
stroke which has opened the palace gates to your 
sainted husband a few years in advance of your 
own entrance therein, will become easier, and that 
in looking forward to the joy of a final meeting, the 
loneliness of the present will grow lighter until, at 
last it will be so mitigated that life will wear again 
its accustomed look of cheerful brightness. Living 
on the borders of the unseen world, so thinly at 
times the veil intervenes that we seem to catch at 
intervals snatches of the ravishing music and 
glimpses of the unutterable brightness beyond. I 
have never had the slightest dread of death since 
so many of our family went into the Beyond; it is 
simply going home to be with Him who has re- 
deemed us. 

I am glad that circumstances made it possible 
for so many of your own family to be with you. 
I trust that Melvie will be all that your fond heart 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 377 

can desire. If he fulfills the promise he gave 
when I knew him, I think there will be no lack in 
him. May God bless, comfort and restore to you 
health, peace and happiness, to the fullest degree 
consistent with His will, and with all these bless- 
ings bestow upon you the boon which I esteem 
greatest of all earthly possessions, viz. : that of a 
contented mind, which is a continual feast, a bless- 
ing which so few of us possess in its fullest degree. 
In love and deepest sympathy, 

As ever your friend, 

M. 

Richmond, Ind., Eighth month, 25th, 1882. 
My Dear Friend, H. J. B. : 

We have often thought of thee during thy 
anxious moments of watching beside thy dear hus- 
band, and more since his joyful release from long 
suffering to his home in heaven. We all loved 
him and, though far away, we feel the loss. If we 
can feel it, what must it be to the wife he loved ! 
But such is our lot below, — partings here, but rest 
above. Blessed thought ! 

We read with interest the account of his funeral, 
in the paper kindly sent us. Duties arc pressing 
heavily on us; letters are only written mentally. . . 
My dear A. joins in love and sympathy. 

Thy friend, 

M. A. J. 



378 REMINISCENCES OF 

Sunny Hill, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 

Seventh month, 16th, 1882. 
My Dear Bereaved Friend: 

Since hearing that thy dear husband had gone 
home to glory, to be forever with the Lord, I have 
not been unmindful of thee, of thy loneliness 
and sad bereavement. Words seem so meaning- 
less and cold, I shrink from penning them 

I would be so glad to sit by thy side, and let my 
silent tears flow with thine. How sweet it is 
when we can weep with those who mourn ! Our 
blessed Saviour gave us the example, and we 
would, as His children, imitate Him. 

Thou hast, my dear sister, passed through the 
waters, but the promise has been fulfilled, " They 
shall not overflow thee." Jesus has been very 
near to thee. What could we do without such a 
friend ! Surely 

" He hath spoken in the darkness, 

In the silence of thy grief, 
Sympathy, so deep and tender, 

Mighty for thy soul's relief ; 
Speaking in thy night of sorrow 

Words of comfort and of calm, 
Gently on thy wounded spirit, 

Pouring true and healing balm." 

As I have heard from time to time of thy dear 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 379 

husband's sickness and sufferings, my heart has 
gone out in sympathy with thee, knowing what it 
is to sit by those we love, and see them, not only 
day by day, but month by month, and even year by 
year, sink away by that fatal disease that no doctor's 
skill can cure, yet hoping all the time that medi- 
cine may reach their case. But death comes at 
last, and all that we loved is taken from our sight. 
Yet we mourn not as those without hope, for we 
know that as Christ rose from the dead, so will 
our friends who die in the Lord also rise and live 
with Him forever. Precious thought, that they 
are released from all pain and suffering ! We can 
say with the poet : 

" What shall Thine ' afterward ' be, O Lord ? 

How long must Thy child endure ? 
Thou knowest ! 't is well that I know it not ! 
Thy ' afterward' cometh, I cannot tell what, 

But I know that Thy word is sure. 

" What shall Thine ' afterward ' be, O Lord ? 

I wonder and wait to see 
(While to Thy chastening hand I bow), 
What ' peaceable fruit ' may be ripening now, 

Ripening fast for Thee." 

My dear J. joins in love and sympathy with thee. 
Thy friend and sister in Christ, 

E. R. If. 



380 REMINISCENCES OF 

Le Raysville, Pa., Oct. 4th, 1882. 
My Dear H. : 

Having just returned from an afternoon visit, 
I did not receive your letter until about an hour 
since. It is very gratifying to me to know that 

your health is improving, even if but slowly 

Your dear husband, lost to your sight for a brief 
space, was, I believe, a sincere friend of my own, 
and I shall never cease to revere his memory, or 
to gather strength and patience to endure the 
crosses of this life, by recalling the sweetness and 
evenness of his disposition, and the resignation 
and exemplary patience with which he endured his 
exquisite sufferings. Truly it does us good to re- 
member that such as these have lived. 

Dear friend, I can sympathize with you and feel 
something of the bitterness of your pain. You 
know that the Bible declares even of Him, that 
He sympathizes with our sorrows, because He 
Himself was acquainted with grief. But dear 
H., disappointments, bereavements, sorrows, and 
irretrievable losses have their use. The discipline 
of pain is necessary for some of us. As for my- 
self, I am positive that, if I ever reach the remotest, 
lowest, most humble place in the kingdom of God, 
it will be because of the great tribulations through 
which it has pleased our Heavenly Father to per- 
mit me to pass, humbling, subduing, purifying, 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 381 

trials and experiences. " Before I was afflicted I 
went astray." Would that in truth I might always 
add, " But now have I kept Thy law, O God." . . . 

Dear Melvie ! Give him my love. I have always 
supposed there was that in him which would make 
him the stay and comfort of your declining years. 
God grant that the promise of his budding, young 
life may be fulfilled in the bloom and fruitage of 
his coming manhood. May the rich inheritance of 
a good character and fixed principles of virtue and 
piety descend upon him from the sainted one who, 
before he left us, so longed to see him established 
in the same! .... 

It seems very sad to hear of F. Taylor's decline. 

It will be a heavy blow to E. to lose him 

Hoping that perfect health and restored cheerful- 
ness, with every other blessing of God that His 
wisdom sees fit to bestow upon you, may be yours 
now and forever. I remain, 

As truly yours, 

M. G. H. 



The author asked the Clerk of Winthrop 
Monthly Meeting to give us some informa- 
tion which we wanted, and which he could 
obtain from his records. He kindly did so, 



382 REMINISCENCES OF 

and after answering our questions in writ- 
ing, added the following: 

While examining our Records in order to give 
correct answers to thy questions, how freshly has 
the form of my dear departed friend come up in 
memory before me ; how vivid has been the recol- 
lection of the many years in which we were inti- 
mately associated in Church work, years in which 
I learned both to trust him as a friend and to love 
him as a brother. Few are so well fitted as was 
he to discharge the duties of that office, which he 
held so long. His active mind made him prompt 
and correct in conducting the business of the 
Church, while his gentle, conciliatory spirit, 
grieved at the least appearance of discordant feel- 
ing among his associates, fitted him to exercise the 
office of peacemaker, and to labor that all might 
be kept in the unity of the Spirit. Truly in his 
Church work he served not himself, but Christ. 
As I think of him this evening, of the loss the 
Church has sustained, and of my own personal 
loss, the feeling of sadness which would otherwise 
settle over my mind, is dispelled by the thought of 
a glorious reunion, that in the " sweet by and by," 
among the " general assembly and Church of the 
First-born who are written in heaven," we shall 
meet again. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 383 

The following words we quote, by permis- 
sion, from a letter written to Moses Bailey's 
niece, E. S. Taylor, after the death of her 
husband in the summer of 1883. We fully 
indorse the comforting sentiments, and 
think them a fitting close to this chapter. 
The concluding stanza fro,m Dean Milman 
is transferred from the card, " In Memoriam." 

We sorrow not as those who have no hope. 
Fallen, he has, asleep in Jesus ; pillowed on the 
bosom of uncreated love ; basking forever beneath 
the sunshine of Jehovah's smile; sorrows all 
ended ; wiped from his eye the lingering tear-drop ; 
immortality begun ! Say not then that o'er the dy- 
ing moments of thy dear one was wept a last adieu, 
and that the heavy word " farewell " was burdened 
with the awful thought, " this parting is forever! " 
No, for these clay-cold lips, with deathless smiles 
shall be re-lighted, and with a glorious similitude 
each feature shall remind thee of earth's love, but 
this distinction, that they cannot fade. 

" It is little matter at what hour of the day 
The righteous fall asleep: death cannot come 
To him untimely, who has learned to die. 
The less of this brief life, the more of heaven 
The shorter time, the longer immortality." 



CHAPTER XIII. 

APPLES OF GOLD, OR GEMS OF THOUGHT. 

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures 
of silver. Prov. 25: 11. 

Moses Bailey took great delight in search- 
ing the Holy Scriptures. Many chapters 
and parts of chapters he committed to mem- 
ory. Rev. J. T. E., of Philadelphia, who 
knew him well, speaking of him, says: 
" Every time I read the thirty-fifth of Isaiah, 
he comes to mind. I can almost see him as 
he repeated that, the whole of it, from mem- 
ory, one Sabbath day. I have frequently 
spoken of it in public, to children, in order 
to encourage them to memorize the scrip- 
tures. How beautiful a sight to see the 
saint charmed with such a prospect as that 
passage prophesies, and be able to use ex- 
actly the language of the Spirit:' 

Often, after studying a portion of the Bi- 
ble, he would write his thoughts on the sub- 



386 REMINISCENCES OF 

ject. As some of these extempore notes 
seem too good to be lost, we have concluded 
to make a chapter of them, and give it a 
place in the last part of this volume. Mem- 
bers of his Bible class will probably recog- 
nize among them those which were written 
for their especial benefit, and were read to 
them by their teacher, who is now doubtless 
awaiting them in the land of light and glory. 
We trust that no one of those scholars will 
disappoint him by rejecting that dear Sa- 
viour's love, which he so carefully endeav- 
ored to portray to them in all the attractive 
loveliness with which it impressed itself so 
forcibly upon his own heart. Among these 
preserved thoughts we find one on the sub- 
ject of the study of the Holy Scriptures. 

THOUGHT FIRST. 

The study of the Holy Scriptures is an employ- 
ment at once the most ennobling and dignified in 
which the mind of man can possibly be engaged. 
In it have been engaged the most profound rea- 
soning minds, and in the contemplation of these 
sacred records the finest intellects have been 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 387 

enlisted. In them we have a code of perfect laws 
for the moral government of men, and a complete 
chart for our spiritual guidance from this to the 
eternal world. We understand that these records 
were written by the inspiration of God Himself; 
hence we are bound to accept every word as indis- 
putably true. It was His command to the Jews 
anciently, to diligently search the Scriptures and 
teach them to their children. The apostle Paul 
counseled Timothy to the same effect, so that in 
his ministry he might prove himself a workman 
that need not be ashamed. 

To the unbelieving Jews Jesus said, " Search 
the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eter- 
nal life, and they are they which testify of Me." 
Thus we see it is not only a privilege and pleasure 
to study them, but we are commanded to do so, in 
order that we may become " wise unto salvation 
through faith which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

There is a wide difference between reading the 
Scriptures and studying them. We may read the 
Bible day after day, and time after time, in an in- 
different, formal manner, and each successive read- 
ing may be to us very much the same as the 
previous one, no new truth being presented to our 
minds, but simply a belief in it all as an histori- 
cal record, while our heart remains untouched, be- 
cause that Spirit which inspired holy men of old 



388 REMINISCENCES OF 

to speak and write the Scriptures, has not illumi- 
nated and quickened our understanding. But 
when we study them in a prayerful way, with an 
earnest desire to be guided into a knowledge of 
the truth that we may be spiritually benefited 
thereby, then God, in His love and goodness to His 
children, grants unto us that wisdom which cometh 
from above; and in its light we see new beauties 
and excellencies unfolded as we study the sacred 
pages, and find a joy and satisfaction in them we 
never before experienced. 



THOUGHT SECOND. 
Fourteenth Chapter of John. 

Jesus here gave His disciples to understand that 
the time was at hand when He would depart out of 
this world, and ascend to His Father, there to re- 
sume that glory which He had with Him before 
the world was. With His omniscient eye search- 
ing the thoughts of every heart, He fully under- 
stood the depths of that bitter grief and sadness 
which filled the hearts of His disciples when He 
said, " I go away." 

As His earthly mission in the body of flesh was 
nearly accomplished, that love so tender and sym- 
pathetic, which had characterized all His acts, and 
was ever the crowning attribute of His glorious 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 389 

and divine nature, now shone forth with redoubled 
splendor as He breaks forth in the comforting lan- 
guage to which the Son of God alone could give 
utterance : " Let not your heart be troubled ; ye 
believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's 
house are many mansions, if it were not so I would 
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." 
While this language is full of consolation and 
cheering hope to the believer in Jesus, it is fraught 
with important thoughts for our consideration. It 
is not enough to believe in God as the eternal Cre- 
ator of all things. In order to obtain the consola- 
tion conveyed in these cheering words we must 
obey the injunction of our blessed Saviour, which 
is full and explicit, " Believe also in Me." We 
have rebelled against God's righteous law, and are 
under the sentence of death and eternal separa- 
tion from Him. It is only through the interposi- 
tion of Jesus, His dear Son, that we can ever be 
reinstated to His favor. When He promises a 
prepared house to His true disciples, He virtually 
declares that no unbeliever has any title thereto. 



THOUGHT THIRD. 

No service should be considered menial or de- 
grading if it helps to promote the best interests of 
our fellow creatures. 
25 



390 REMINISCENCES OF 

THOUGHT FOURTH. 

Christ's messengers are those who speak in His 
name and under the influence and power of His 
Spirit. If we receive them as such, we virtually 
receive Christ. 

THOUGHT FIFTH. 

Prayer should always be offered in the name of 
Christ, because we have been polluted by sin and 
are altogether unfit to approach God or claim His 
notice ; hence without our Saviour's intercession 
our plea could not be heard nor granted. 

THOUGHT SIXTH. 

The humble or poor in spirit, of whom Jesus 
spoke, are those who feel deeply their own incom- 
petency to do any good thing, and therefore de- 
pend wholly on Christ for direction and ability. 
We have no reason to be proud, for we have 
nothing that we have not received. " Every good 
and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down 
from the Father of lights." Every Christian 
ought to pray that he may be a vessel fitted for 
the Master's use, filled by Him and consecrated 
to His service. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 391 

THOUGHT SEVENTH. 

Those who hunger and thirst after righteous- 
ness shall be filled in this life with the joy and 
love of God, which is unutterable, passing knowl- 
edge, and more precious than all earthly treasures. 
In the hereafter they will enjoy the fruition of 
blessedness reserved for those who love and obey 
the Lord. 



THOUGHT EIGHTH. 

To be pure in heart is to be made free from the 
guilt and power of sin and our natural inclination 
thereto. 

" The pure in heart shall see God." 

They shall have a correct conception and right 
understanding of His character, and be fitted for 
the full enjoyment of His presence in this life, and 
in the world to come. 



THOUGHT NINTH. 

To be a child of God is to be regenerated. 
born of the Spirit, and thus be made like Him in 
nature. Such are adopted into the family of God 
by faith in Jesus Christ. 



REMINISCENCES OF 
THOUGHT TENTH. 

Wicked and worldly men are angry with those 
who speak the truth of them, " because their deeds 
are evil," and they are not willing to have them 
exposed to the light, for when conscience is awak- 
ened, condemnation seizes upon them, and, being 
under the power of Satan, their anger is kindled. 
If our motive be pure and the intent of our heart 
good, not desiring the injury of another, we are 
not condemned for prudently speaking of their 
faults. We should ever treat those who, out of 
pure motives, tell us of our faults, as our very best 
friends. 

THOUGHT ELEVENTH. 
" Ye are the salt of the earth." 

Salt in its nature is a preservative. Its effect 
on that with which it comes in contact being to 
arrest decay and preserve purity. So Christians 
by their holy life and godly example exert an in- 
fluence to preserve the world from those gross 
evils and heinous sins, which else might be in- 
dulged in to the extent of bringing down the just 
judgments of God on a world wholly sunk in in- 
iquity. See Gen. xviii. 26, 32. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 393 

THOUGHT TWELFTH. 
" Ye are the light of the world." 

How are God's people the light of the world ? 
By the world, we understand, is meant the people. 
Man, by reason of the depravity of his nature 
through sin, is represented as being in a state of 
darkness, and it is only by the influence of Him 
who is " the light of the world, that true light 
which lighteth every man," that the sinner is ena- 
bled to see his lost condition and the way of escape 
from eternal ruin. As Christ is the light of the 
world, so also are His people. Of them it is writ- 
ten, " Ye are all the children of light and the 
children of the day — ye are not of the night nor 
of darkness." Again, Paul speaks of " the sons of 
God, in the midst of a crooked and perverse na- 
tion, among whom ye shine as lights in the world/' 
Receiving their light from the Sun of Righteous- 
ness, being filled with it and walking in it, they 
reflect that light on the darkness around them, by 
the purity of their lives and good works. 

How beautifully illustrative of the relation be- 
tween the children of the light and the Sun of 
Righteousness, is that of the moon to the natural 
sun! In itself it is a dark body, and only as it re- 
ceives light from its great source of light, can it 
illumine the night of this world. The slender 



894 REMINISCENCES OF 

crescent is emblematical of the beginning of the 
illumination of the Holy Spirit on the dark nature 
of man. At first that small degree of light does 
little more than reveal to the eye of the observer 
the whole dark body of the moon. " Whatsoever 
maketh manifest is light." The dark body could 
not be made manifest while wholly hidden by the 
earth's shadow, but as soon as the sun's rays light 
up a portion, its entire form becomes visible. 
" The entrance of Thy word giveth light," says the 
Psalmist. The whole moral nature of man is hid- 
den by gross darkness, and " the god of this world 
hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, 
lest the glorious gospel of Christ should shine 
unto them." 2 Cor. iv. 4. But when the light 
of divine truth doth shine upon them, it first of all 
makes apparent the darkened condition of their 
minds, and the exceeding depravity of the natural 
heart, so that the awakened sinner is forced to cry 
out, " In me dwelleth no good thing ! O wretched 
man that I am ! " If that light is cherished and 
followed, it leads the convicted soul to Christ for 
pardon and cleansing, and thus the light "shineth 
more and more" as it is heeded, like the moon, 
which increaseth in brightness until again it 
stands revealed wholly, not as at the first, a dark 
body, but now, with all of earth's shadow gone, 
because, turned fully toward the sun, its whole 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 395 

body is " full of light, having no part dark." And 
thus it is with the Christian when his eye is single 
to God's glory. 

May we not carry our illustration yet further 
and say, that as the moon, by reason of its natural 
formation and dependent relation, is unable to shed 
forth that clear and intense light inherent in the 
sun, so the Christian, even the most perfect, by 
reason of his humanity with its varied imperfec- 
tions, cannot shine with undimmed luster here, 
but, when we shall be fashioned like unto Christ's 
glorious body, as seen by John in vision, " then 
will the righteous shine forth as the sun in the 
kingdom of their Father." 

Perhaps it may be well to look for a moment at 
the reverse side of our illustration. We have seen 
the moon increasing in brightness until it was full 
of light; now we mark its wane. Night after 
night, its light diminishes as the dark shadow of 
earth comes more and more between it and the 
source of its light. The sun shines just the same, 
but the relation of the moon to its lights has 
changed. So, alas, too often is it with the Chris- 
tian ! but not with him as in the former case, is it 
the result of natural and established laws. It is 
the Father's will that His children dwell in the 
light, and be always shining, and not until they 
turn their faces from Him to earth does its dark 



396 REMINISCENCES OF 

shadow intercept His brightness. If those who 
thus turn away persist in looking earthward in- 
stead of unto Jesus, they will rapidly reach the 
condition of the moon when its light is wholly 
gone out, and its place in the heavens is seen no 
more. " Take heed therefore that the light which 
is in thee be not darkness." 



THOUGHT THIRTEENTH. 

If we are disposed to do to others as we would 
have them do unto us, grace subduing within us 
the spirit of revenge, and are ready to submit to 
the direction of Him who has said, " Vengeance 
is mine, I will repay," and " If thine enemy hun- 
ger thou shalt feed him, and if he thirst thou 
shalt give him drink," He will enable us so to act 
that even our enemies shall be at peace with us. 



THOUGHT FOURTEENTH. 

" Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to 
be seen of them : otherwise ye have no reward of your 
Father which is in Heaven." 

We should not give for the sake of gaining 
worldly applause, but for the good of those to 
whom the gift is made, knowing that we have the 
approbation of our Father in heaven, whose ap- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 397 

proval is worth more than any earthly treasure. 
Then we shall realize that it is more blessed to 
give than to receive. We are only justified in 
making our good deeds public when it will thereby 
more fully promote the cause of Christ, or the 
benefit of our fellow-men, but in no case for the 
purpose of gaining praise for ourselves. If the 
desire for riches or worldly honor predominates, or 
becomes a governing principle, the light of Christ 
is eclipsed by it, as the sun is hidden from the 
earth by an intervening cloud. 

THOUGHT FIFTEENTH. 

We should not be troubled about the future, as 
to what duties will be laid upon us to perform, or 
what trials or afflictive dispensations we may 
have to endure, but just simply, day by day, 
accomplish our appointed task, and patiently en- 
dure present trials, confidingly trusting in the 
promise, "As thy day, so shall thy strength bo." 

THOUGHT SIXTEENTH. 
We should not judge people from a mere casual 
observance of their acts, but should carefully in- 
vestigate before pronouncing judgment, thus en- 
deavoring to discover the motive which prompted 
action. 



398 REMINISCENCES OF 

THOUGHT SEVENTEENTH. 

A thorough knowledge of the Holy Scriptures 
enables us to distinguish between true and false 
teaching and preaching, and also to see whether 
the doctrines thereby promulgated are in accord- 
ance with the teachings of the inspired writers. 
If they are not, we may rest assured that the 
teachers or preachers thereof are the exponents of 
false doctrines. 



THOUGHT EIGHTEENTH. 

To be converted is to be changed from a state of 
sin and alienation from God, to a state of grace, 
wherein the unholy affections and lusts of the nat- 
ural mind are subdued and slain. Then God be- 
comes the supreme object of the soul's first and 
highest affections. If we are willing to part with 
all hindering things in order to become conform- 
able to the will of God, and submit to be led as a 
little child, yielding to be and do just as the Holy 
Spirit dictates, we shall know the perfect love of 
God, which is u deeper than the low r est depths and 
wider than the widest sea/' This is the higher 
walk of Christian experience. Then humility and 
obedience will become the crowning attributes of 
our character. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 399 

THOUGHT NINETEENTH. 
" We have not an high priest which cannot be 
touched with the feeling of our infirmities." 

Jesus is the same sympathizing friend now that 
He was when on earth, and as ready and willing to 
alleviate the sufferings and trials of His children. 
We may be called to pass through waters of the 
deepest affliction, and endure the sundering of the 
dearest, tenderest ties of our nature, the heart 
may faint and life become almost a burden, yet 
Jesus, our loving, compassionate Saviour, is not in- 
sensible to any of the hardships of our lot. He is 
ever ready to sympathize in our griefs, help us 
with our burdens, pour into our hearts the oil of 
joy for mourning, give the spirit of praise for 
heaviness, cause our darkness to flee away, our 
wounded spirits to rejoice, and our tongues to sing 
His praises. 

THOUGHT TWENTIETH. 

While we boldly confess Christ, we must beware 
of vain confidence in ourselves. All our trust 
must be in the Lord alone, to uphold and preserve 
us. 

THOUGHT TWENTY-FIRST, 

In the twenty-third chapter of Luke, from vt 
thirty-nine to forty-three inclusive, we have the 



400 REMINISCENCES OF 

only instance recorded in the Bible where a sinner 
repented, asked for pardon, and obtained it, just as 
he was about to die. This is doubtless recorded 
that none need despair or doubt God's mercy in 
Christ, to the greatest sinner, and to the latest 
hour ; but the fact of its being a solitary case 
teaches us that it is dangerous to delay. We have 
no encouragement thereby to presume upon God's 
mercy, by purposely putting off the day of repent- 
ance. "Now is the accepted time, now is the day 
of salvation." 

" Too late, too late, may be the cry, 
Jesus of Nazareth has passed by." 

THOUGHT TWENTY-SECOND. 

" Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved 
the Church, and gave Himself for it." Eph. v. 25. 

This command of the apostle is, to say the least, 
not unworthy the serious consideration of every 
one who has taken, or contemplates taking, upon 
himself the marriage vow. What a beautiful type 
of the love of Christ for His espoused Church is 
found in a truly happy marriage, where two hearts 
are united in pure love, two lives with all life's in- 
terests bound together in one holy bond ! 

We are all seeking for happiness, and the mar- 
riage relation, if rightly entered into, is one of the 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 401 

means instituted by heaven for its attainment. 
Where marriage is not productive of happiness, 
the evidence is conclusive to our mind that it is 
productive of misery. It is not enough for persons 
to live together in this connection without open 
rebellion, or even without contentions; not enough 
to profess and show to the world that they respect 
each other enough to " treat each other well " in 
the common acceptation of the term. This we 
should do to all, but there ought to be with the 
parties thus connected a feeling far more exalted, 
a deep sense of love away down in the soul, un- 
known to the world, which can be realized only by 
those who possess it. This is that refined sense 
of feeling in the affections which the pen or tongue 
is altogether inadequate to describe. Indeed, 
pure, true love is an attribute of B)eity, originat- 
ing with Himself, and what we possess of it is 
derived from Him. Anything called love, having 
its origin from any other source, is altogether un- 
worthy to bear the name. 

We have been speaking of the love which, as 
we understand it, husband and wife should have 
for each other, in order to make their union a 
happy one. Before we can possess such affection 
to its fullest extent, we must experience the love 
of God in our hearts, flowing forth in a broad, 
deep, unvarying channel, first to Him, its author, 



402 REMINISCENCES OF 

who should be also the object of our highest and 
best affections. Only second to our love for Him 
should be our affection for our life-companion. 



THOUGHT TWENTY-THIRD. 
" Today or to-morrow we will go into such a city, 
and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get 
gain." James iv. 13. 

Man looks forward with heart all aglow with 
expectations for the future. He sees in pleasing 
perspective, and calculates with a certainty real to 
himself, days, weeks, months and years of pros- 
perity and happiness unalloyed. He makes agree- 
ments with his brother man, having stipulated 
times in which to do certain things, and to retain 
and enjoy, unfiolested, certain privileges. These 
he is careful to have clearly written, so that he 
may feel fully secure, having something tangible 
and indisputable to prove his claims in case of 
any misunderstanding or dispute about the matter 
in question. All this is right, and just as it should 
be. But with all of man's plannings and purposes 
there should be a deference to the will of God. 
The apostle does not say it is wrong to make ar- 
rangements for going to a city for the purpose of 
trade, but to do so in utter disregard of God's will 
in the matter, leaving Him entirely out of the 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 403 

question, and making such confident assertions, 
seemingly regardless of the uncertainty of a life, 
which is like to the vapor that appeareth for a 
little time and then vanisheth away. He says, 
" Ye ought rather to say, if the Lord will, we shall 
live and do this or that." This surely should be 
the true feeling in the heart of every one when 
planning any business or contemplating any act in 
life, realizing, as he always should, that the finite 
mind of man is, and always must be, subservient 
to the sovereign will of God. " Whether there- 
fore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all 
for the glory of God," should be the governing 
principle of our lives. 

THOUGHT TWENTY-FOURTH. 
Apparently, to human view, every possible means 
tending to the prevention of Christ's resurrection 
were used. This fact establishes beyond possibil- 
ity of doubt the truth that He was divine, em- 
bodying all power in Himself. No man could do 
aught against Him, except as He permitted it. 
No man could take His life from Him, but He vol- 
untarily laid it down. This is apparent from His 
own words: "I lay down my life, that 1 might 
take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I 
lay it down of myself: I have power to lay it clown 
and I have power to take it again." 



404 REMINISCENCES OF 

Upon the incontrovertible evidence of Christ's 
resurrection and ascension the Christian may cast 
anchor and feel secure. All the facts related 
thereto and the incontestable nature of the proofs 
are carefully set forth by each of the four evangel- 
ists, while some of the less important incidents of 
His life and many of His sayings are not recorded 
by them all. The assurance of the resurrection of 
His people is based upon His own: " Because I 
live, ye shall live also." It is this glorious fact, re- 
ceived by faith, that nerves the Christian with 
courage to follow the directions of the Holy Spirit, 
standing up for Jesus, passing through the severest 
trials, suffering the bitterest persecutions, not 
counting even his own life dear unto himself, if the 
Master needs it in His service, but rather esteem- 
ing it a privilege that he is found worthy to suffer 
with Him, if he may be raised from the dead and 
reign with Him in glory. 



THOUGHT TWENTY-FIFTH. 

" Feed My lambs." " Feed My sheep." 

The lambs of Christ's flock are the young in 
years and those newly born of the Spirit. They 
are also spoken of as babes in Christ. Such 
must be tenderly nurtured, and fed " with the 
sincere milk of the Word, that they may grow 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 405 

thereby." To feed the lambs in a proper manner 
involves much responsibility and great carefulness, 
lest by injudicious treatment they become sickly 
and weak. The wise shepherd is very careful in 
his fostering of the tender lambs, sheltering them 
from the cold, protecting them from danger, and 
seeing that they have suitable nourishment, for on 
their healthy growth depends their future value. 
If the lambs of the good Shepherd's fold were 
as carefully guarded and nourished by those ap- 
pointed to feed them, there would not be so many 
perishing by neglect, and falling so easily a prey to 
the adversary of souls, who goeth about seeking 
whom he may devour. 

To feed the lambs is to impart unto them spirit- 
ual instruction respecting the new life upon which 
they have entered, its difficulties, temptations, 
and duties, how to overcome the first, resist the 
second, and perform the third; it is to speak to 
them encouraging words, telling them of the 
peace and joy attendant on faithful service, the 
sympathy and love of Christ, and the blessedness 
of carrying everything to God in prayer; speak- 
ing to them also of your own experiences of grace, 
how you were helped over this hard place, and de- 
livered from that temptation or snare. Give them 
liberally of the sincere milk of the word, the first 
26 



406 REMINISCENCES OF 

principles of the doctrine of Christ, that they may 
grow strong thereby. They must be kept grow- 
ing in grace and in knowledge, or they will never 
advance beyond babyhood. The Church is too full 
of moral dwarfs, still fed on milk because not able 
to bear strong meat. Such never grow unto the 
stature of a man in Christ Jesus. 

" Feed my sheep/' The sheep are those ad- 
vanced in experience; they are to be fed with 
stronger food than the lambs. The overseers of 
the flock, appointed by the Chief Shepherd, must 
lead them forth to green pasturage on the hillsides, 
on the uplands, and on the mountain slopes, where 
the air is fresh and sweet, and the invigorating 
breezes of heaven blow upon them. Not only 
onward, but upward, should be the watchword. If 
a sheep stray from the flock, and is lost in the wil- 
derness, the faithful shepherd will go after it, and 
diligently seek until he find it, and will bring it 
back with joy. He will bind up its wounds and 
watch over it with loving care. 

Very beautiful and appropriate is this illustra- 
tion of our Lord, representing His Church as a 
flock of sheep and lambs, and His ministers as 
shepherds, whose duty it is to feed them. How 
great the responsibility ! Who is sufficient for 
these things ? 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 407 

THOUGHT TWENTY-SIXTH. 

The cloven tongues of Pentecost may have been 
intended to represent that God's messengers would 
be furnished with ability to speak understandingly 
to the people of different nations, and that the ef- 
fect of their words on the hearts of the people 
would be comparable to fire, consuming all pre- 
viously conceived false notions, and convincing 
them of the truth of the doctrine of Christ. 

It is just as needful now for Christian ministers 
and religious teachers to be under the influence of 
the Holy Spirit, in order to speak to the benefit of 
others, as it was in those early days of the Chris- 
tian church. By pouring out of His Spirit upon 
them, God thoroughly furnished His apostles for 
every good work, with wisdom and ability, manner 
and language, especially adapted to the judgment, 
understanding and capacity of their hearers, so 
that mind and heart, permeated and influenced by 
the divine Holy Spirit, acted with power upon the 
minds and consciences of their hearers, who were 
thereby awakened and convinced of the truth, led 
to accept of the evidences, and to comply with the 
conditions necessary, and thus become converts to 
Christianity. 

To them was also given power to work miracles, 
so that even the sceptic was fain to be convinced 
that the wonderful Being, in whose name they 



408 REMINISCENCES OF 

wrought these mighty acts, was none other than 
the long-expected, promised deliverer of Israel, 
the Messiah. That God even now so empowers 
His children as to enable them to take of the deep 
things of Himself, which have been presented to 
their own souls, and impart them to others, so that 
the effect shall be to convince them of sin, of 
righteousness, and of a judgment to come, caus- 
ing them to repent and accept the Lord Jesus 
Christ as their Saviour, is indeed a modern mira- 
cle as great as that of restoring an inanimate body 
to life. 

THOUGHT TWENTY-SEVENTH. 

Because we love God we delight to approach 
and hold sweet converse with Him from whom 
we receive every blessing which we enjoy, tem- 
poral or spiritual, having the assurance that what- 
soever we shall ask in faith of the Father in 
Jesus' name, will be given unto us. Therefore we 
love to come to Him and ask for those things 
which we need. God has commanded us to pray, 
and we love to obey His commands. The Psalm- 
ist says, " I delight to do Thy will, O God." 

From the time of the establishment of the Law, 
the Hebrews did not neglect daily to offer worship 
unto God; and in all their offerings, the sacrifice 
was invariably accompanied with prayer. God re- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 409 

quires all men thus to worship Him. Jesus in- 
structed His disciples always to pray, and enforced 
the duty by His own example. The apostles 
were very frequently engaged in prayer, and en- 
joined it repeatedly upon others. 

" Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, 
The Christian's native air, 
His watchword at the gate of death, 
He enters heaven with prayer." 

In order to be effectual, prayer must be an offer- 
ing of the emotions and desires of the heart to 
God, through the agency of the Holy Spirit. God 
is a spirit, and cannot be communicated with 
through any other medium, and all attempts to ap- 
proach Him in any other way is mockery. A 
place of retirement from the busy cares, turmoil 
and confusion of earth, where no eye can see, but 
God's alone, is desirable, but we may hold spiritual 
communion with Him silently in our hearts, in the 
social circle, at the public gathering, and when 
employed about our secular affairs. 

THOUGHT TWENTY-EIGHTH. 
It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomor- 
rah in the day of judgment, than for the more 
enlightened cities of Bethsaida and Chora/in, 
because they had less light and knowledge, and 



410 REMXISCENCES OF 

consequently were less accountable. Man's re- 
sponsibility is in exact proportion to the means of 
information and improvement within his reach. 

THOUGHT TWEXTY-XIXTH. 

In Matthew x. 34-36, Jesus seems to teach that 
H s doctrines and instructions are so antagonistic 
:: :r.e ::re:r:::- : :" :/.e it z ::-. vei r.i:u:i'. he 3.7:. z'r.iz 
instead of the effect being to unite, it would have 
the opposite tendency, some believing and ac- 
cepting His doctrines, others absolutely refusing, 
thus creating strife even among members of the 

Our love for Christ must be supreme; and in or- 
der to be His disciple we must be willing to do 
His bidding, however crossing it may be to the 

z.i:ir2.'. nir.i. H: r.st er.vre :ei: ~.v :s river, vp 
:; the ::r.::':::::::. ir.£ue:.:es ::" :._e H:iy Sri:::. 
will be content to follow where his Master leads, 
although it should involve the giving up of every 
beloved idol of his heart, and all that the unre- 
newed soul so tenaciously clings to as life's dearest 
pleasures, knowing that joy, in unstinted measure, 
shall be his throughout the eternity of his exist- 
ence, in those glorious realms where are laid up 
for those who love and serve God here, things 
■ •:.::':. ::-.: e:-::ee:i ::: ;■::: eiie;-. :y lii : ~ : ::.e i-.iv'.-.es: 
conception of man can comprehend. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 411 

THOUGHT THIRTIETH. 

For the unregenerate there hangs no rainbow of 
hope over the future state beyond this world; 
nought but the blackness of darkness forever 
awaits them. They are sentenced to the everlast- 
ing fire prepared, not for them, but for the devil 
and his angels. They voluntarily chose him, rather 
than God, for their master, and engaged in his ser- 
vice, they will, therefore, justly share with him 
and the evil angels their awful doom. He who 
will at the day of judgment pronounce their final 
sentence, has again and again warned them by His 
written word and the preaching of the gospel, to 
flee from the wrath to come, and has made plain 
the way of escape, but all His warnings have been 
unheeded, His loving entreaties disregarded, and 
with a knowledge of the awful doom of the un- 
godly, they have wilfully persisted in a life of sin, 
deliberately chosen the broad way with the multi- 
tude, rather than the narrow way with the few. 
They have been told by Him who was sent from 
heaven to open up for them the path of life and, 
eternal joy, that the way in which they are, would 
lead to the very place appointed to such, but they 
have given no heed, and because they disregard 
Him who would save them, O, so gladly, they 
unless yet forgiven, must be cast into a furnace of 
fire, where there will be wailing* and despair for- 
ever and ever. 



412 REMINISCENCES OF 

THOUGHT THIRTY-FIRST. 
In explaining the parable of the great supper, 
Christ says that when the first invited guests ex- 
cused themselves because of previous engage- 
ments and worldly cares, the master of the feast 
sent forth into the highways and hedges, and filled 
his tables with an entirely different class of guests, 
who were thus made partakers of the good things 
provided for others. Those first invited might 
have accepted, but they cared more for their own 
personal worldly business, though of a very trivial 
character, than they did for him who had so gen- 
erously provided for their entertainment, and so 
highly honored them with his invitation. No 
wonder that the master of the feast felt insulted 
by their rejection and paltry excuses. But the 
costly provision shall not be in vain. If the house 
cannot be filled with those favored ones, it shall be, 
with those hitherto less favored. So the servants 
are sent forth quickly, for the feast is waiting, to 
gather in from the streets and lanes of the city, 
the poor and the maimed, the halt and the blind. 
Still there is room for more, and the servants 
are bidden to go for a still more degraded class, 
those found among the hedges, and bid them to 
the feast. It would seem as if those who were 
guests made no excuses, though they might have 
done so with far more consistency, on the ground 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 413 

of their poverty, physical disability and general 
unfitness to be guests at a feast. 

The Jews, God's special elect people, honored by 
Him above all the nations of the earth, were the 
first to be invited to the great gospel feast. Christ 
said to the Gentile woman, who besought Him on 
behalf of her daughter : "I am not sent but unto 
the lost sheep of the house of Israel." When 
sending forth His disciples to preach the kingdom 
of heaven at hand, to cast out devils, and heal the 
sick, he commanded them not to go to the Gen- 
tiles nor into any city of the Samaritans, but only 
to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. When 
renewing the commission of His apostles, after 
His resurrection, He told them to begin at Jerusa- 
lem. It was not till after the Jewish nation re- 
jected their King, saying, a We will not have this 
man to reign over us," that Jesus said " The king- 
dom of God shall be taken from you, and given to 
a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." It was 
not until after Paul had long preached in the syna- 
gogues of the Jews, and they had persistently re- 
sisted the truth, "contradicting and blaspheming/ 1 
that Paul said unto them, "It was necessary that 
the Word of God should first have been spoken 
unto you, but seeing ye put it from you, and judge 
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn 
to the Gentiles, for so hath the Lord commanded 



414 REMINISCENCES OF 

us. . . . And when the Gentiles heard this, 
they were glad, and glorified the word of the 
Lord." 

Do we not see exemplified in all this, in a most 
striking manner, the fulfilment of the parable ? 
The Gentiles were despised by the Jews, and they 
contemptuously called them dogs, but while the 
proud, self-righteous Jews rejected the honor con- 
ferred on them by Him who had prepared, at an 
immense cost, a great gospel feast, and invited 
them first of all, the Gentiles gladly accepted, and 
were partakers of its blessings. But while un- 
numbered multitudes have come to the feast, still 
there is room for as many more. The house is not 
yet filled ; the Lord's servants are still out seeking 
guests for His table. " Whosoever will, let him 
come." None too poor, too sinful, too degraded, 
to be given a seat at the feast ! " Let him that 
heareth say come." No matter if you are not an 
appointed servant, when you hear the invitation, 
not only accept it for yourselves, but cry out to 
others, "Come!" In this we see very forcibly il- 
lustrated the fulness and the freeness of the 
blessings of salvation. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 415 

THOUGHT THIRTY-SECOND. 
" The children of this world are wiser than the chil- 
dren of light." 

By this is evidently meant that they are often 
more sagacious in their plans, more skilful in de- 
vising means for obtaining earthly treasure, than 
Christians are in occupying the talents entrusted 
to them, and using the best methods God has 
placed within their reach for the conversion of sin- 
ners, the promotion of the cause of truth, the 
building up of Christ's kingdom in the earth, and 
the laying up for themselves treasures in heaven. 
The lord of the unjust steward did not commend 
him for his injustice, but for his forethought in 
looking forward to the time when he would be 
called upon to give an account of his stewardship, 
for the manner in which he had improved the 
goods entrusted to his care, well knowing that he 
stood justly condemned if he failed in fidelity, and 
realizing the fact that his future living depended 
greatly on present management. 

The lesson our Lord would inculcate by this 
parable seems to be this : that as the unjust stew- 
ard shrewdly availed himself of his present advan- 
tages in making provision for future needs, so 
must the children of light wisely use the talents, 
privileges, and even riches granted them here, in 
such a way as will insure for them a heavenly 
mansion, and a treasure that will never tail. 



416 REMINISCENCES OF 

THOUGHT THIRTY-THIRD. 

" Take heed that ye offend not one of these little 
ones that believe in Me." 

We should never do ought to offend, that is, to 
cause to stumble, the youngest or the weakest of 
those who belong to Christ. His watchful eye is 
over even the tiny sparrow of the field, and He 
will in no wise fail to notice every wrong or neg- 
lect toward the least of His dear children. Un- 
der the figure of the gentle shepherd He is repre- 
sented as gathering the lambs with His arm, and 
carrying them in His bosom. Isaiah xl. n. For 
little children, our Lord seems to have had special 
love. When brought unto Him, He gathered them 
in His arms, and said, " Suffer the little children 
to come unto Me, for of such is the kingdom of 
heaven. Verily I say unto you, their angels do 
always behold the face of My Father, which is in 
heaven." How can any one, therefore, harshly 
treat, or in any way unjustly wrong, the little 
ones, so tenderly loved and ministered unto by 
Christ their Saviour ? "Of such is the kingdom of 
heaven." The prophet Isaiah, when graphically 
describing that blessed period when the earth shall 
be full of the knowledge of the Lord, and there 
shall be nothing to hurt nor destroy in all His 
holy mountain, tells us that the little child shall 
lead the then harmless leopard and lion, the suck- 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 417 

ing child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the 
weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's 
den. Isaiah xi. 6, 8, 9. 

If the child, as a tender flower, is transplanted 
to the upper gardens, there to develop into a more 
perfect form of beauty, then it will be prepared to 
join the saintly and angelic throng that escorted 
our Lord at His coming, but if permitted to re- 
main on earth, and reach the more advanced stage 
of human life, it will be made happy by a life of 
godliness and usefulness here, and enter upon a 
higher state in the world to come. 

THOUGHT THIRTY-FOURTH. 
" I am the door : by Me if any man enter in he shall 
be saved." 

In order to become a true member of Christ's 
Church, we must enter by Him, through faith in 
His atoning blood as the only appointed means 
whereby we can be restored to God's favor, and 
find acceptance with Him. We must willingly 
submit to His rule, like as the sheep are submis- 
sive to the shepherd's bidding. Those whom our 
Lord denominates thieves and robbers, climbing 
up some other way instead of entering by the 
door, represent those who, though associated in 
membership with the visible Church, and having a 
profession of holiness, have never experienced a 



418 REMINISCENCES OF 

change of heart, have no knowledge of Christ be- 
ing formed within them the hope of glory. They 
have a form of godliness, but none of its spiritual 
power. They are undertaking, in their own 
strength, that which can only be done by the 
power of God. By mere intellectual knowledge 
they endeavor to lead others in a way they have 
not walked in themselves, thus arrogating a glory 
which belongs to Him alone. Or it raav be that 
these represent a class of false teachers, who, ut- 
terly repudiating Christ as the only true door of 
entrance into the fold, seek to draw away those 
sheltered there, by tempting them into other paths 
than those by which the good shepherd leads his 
flock forth into safe and green pastures, and beside 
the still waters. 

The true shepherd entereth in by the door, and 
calleth his sheep each by name, and leadeth them 
out, not driveth. He goeth before them, first 
walking himself in the way, not simply pointing it 
out, like the senseless guide-board. He remains 
with the sheep, watching over them with loving 
care; he knoweth them, and they know him, and 
follow 7 him, for they know his voice. How beau- 
tifully this illustrates the divine Shepherd and His 
flock ! u The Lord knoweth them that are His." 
He says to each one, u Fear not, for I have re- 
deemed thee, I have called thee by thy name 
thou art Mine." 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 419 

THOUGHT THIRTY-FIFTH. 

In the parable of the talents, to one servant was 
given five talents, to another two, and to another 
one, every man receiving according to his ability 
to trade with what was entrusted to him. So is it 
in the Church of Christ, as clearly brought to view 
by Paul in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, 
wherein he says that " the manifestation of the 
Spirit is given to every man to profit withal," and 
that " there are diversities of gifts," and " of op- 
erations," also " differences of administrations," 
but it is " the same God, the same Lord and the 
same Spirit, which worketh all in all." Mark how 
the apostle brings in the three persons of the 
Godhead. 

In his letter to the Romans, Paul illustrates the 
same thing by the figure of the body, which, 
though one, hath many members : " so we, being 
many, are one body in Christ, having gifts differ- 
ing according to the grace that is given us." 
Again, in his Epistle to the Ephesians, he brings 
out the same important truth, as though he 
deemed it very essential that the body of believers 
in every place should understand their individual 
gifts and position in the Church, and be faithful in 
their respective work. These varied gifts and 
offiees, he says, were given "for the perfecting of 
the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the 



420 REMINISCENCES OF 

edifying of the body of Christ/' until it shall at- 
tain "unto the measure of the stature of the ful- 
ness of Christ, ,, which will be when the fulness of 
the members of His body, the Church, are all 
brought in, and the mystery of God shall be fin- 
ished. 

The excuses of those who make no use of the 
talents committed unto them will not be ac- 
cepted, for He has given unto all "according to 
their several ability," or capacity to use that which 
He hath given them. If the ability is great, a 
large increase will be required, if small, no more 
than a corresponding improvement will be ex- 
pected. God never bestows gifts upon His chil- 
dren unless they have the qualification to improve 
them for their own benefit, the edification of the 
Church, and for His glory. A neglect to make the 
most of this ability will be their condemnation. 
If they alone suffered by reason of their unfaithful- 
ness, they might be less censurable. But as when 
" one member of the body suffers, all the members 
suffer with it," so if one member of the Church of 
Christ fails to improve upon the gift given unto 
him, or to fill that office unto which he has been 
called by the Spirit operating upon his heart, the 
voice of the Church and the providences of God, all 
combined and working in unity, the whole body 
suffers loss and the influence of the Church on 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 421 

the world, is in a measure more or less marred. 
Not only will such ones receive the award of the 
unprofitable servant, but others, in all probability, 
will be led by their unfaithfulness to follow their ex- 
ample, while many souls who might have been won 
to Christ through their labors are left to perish. 

Instead of coveting other's gifts as more desirable 
than our own,, or excusing ourselves because of the 
smallness of our gifts, we ought rather to make dil- 
igent use thereof, in order that they may increase. 

In the parable of the ten servants unto whom 
was delivered each one pound, one of them gained 
by his superior ability, ten pounds, another, with 
less ability, or by lack of diligence, gained only 
five pounds. But each was rewarded in proportion 
to his merit, while the one who falsely accused his 
Lord, and returned him only the amount entrusted 
to him, without even putting it out to usury, was 
punished with death. 

Fearful is our responsibility, as those to whom 
the Lord hath given "the manifestation of the 
Spirit to profit withal," but the promise is, " God 
is able to make all grace abound toward you, that 
ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may 
abound in every good work." I low ample the 
provision made lor "all things alway" — "All 
grace, -ill sufficiency, abounding!" With this, <>no 

can well abound in every good work. 

27 



422 REMINISCENCES OF 

THOUGHT THIRTY-SIXTH. 
Change, death, and decay are stamped on every- 
thing of earth. The great object then for each 
and every one of us to know of as having attained 
is, a condition in which none of these unavoidable 
things shall in any way move or disturb us, real- 
izing that death itself is a shadow which, when 
passed, the fulness of life and joy shall break 
upon us. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 423 

LINES 

Suggested while meditating on the death of Moses Bailey, who 
died June 6th, 1882, by his friend and neighbor, Z. A. Mar- 
row, aged 85 years. 

" For one star differeth from another star in glory. 
So also is the resurrection of the dead." 1 Cor. xv. 
41, 42. 

If, when the trumpet is sounded 
That wakes the sleeping dead, 

And all the saints in glory 
Are by their Saviour led, 

Will some with brighter luster, 

Within that sacred place, 
Shine with more brilliant splendor, 

And with a sweeter grace, 

Than others who are perfect, 

And who with them enjoy 
All the bliss they can contain, 

Without the least alloy ? 

This fact the Bible teaches, 

A truth that all may sec 
That bliss is in proportion 

To inward purity. 



i'24 REMINISCENCES OF 

The wise will like the firmament 
In grace and beauty shine 

With splendor that is permanent, 
Approaching the Divine. 

Our dear departed brother, 

Whom all that knew esteemed, 

Has left a world of sorrow 
To dwell with the redeemed. 

Among the ransomed millions 
Around the throne of God, 

Of every tongue and kindred 
Redeemed by Jesus' blood, 

He shines in greater brightness 
Than stars that deck the sky, 

In that world of matchless glory, 
In regions fair on high. 

As one star excels another 
In brilliancy and light, 

So shine some saints in glory, 
Though all are clothed in white. 

We trust our much loved brother 
Adorns our Saviour's crown, 

And shineth there with others, 
A star of great renown. 



A CHRISTIAN LIFE. 425 

Then let us all remember, 

If we like stars would shine, 
We here must self surrender, 

And tread the path divine, 

That leads us on to glory, 

Where pain and death are o'er, 

And naught that is unholy 
Can pain our spirits more. 



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